Chapter 206: Not Forgotten

Words : 1350 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 206: Not Forgotten Easter~ The cold wouldn’t leave me. Even as I sat huddled on the blood-soaked ground of the ruined estate, holding my daughter tightly in my arms, the warmth never returned fully. It clung to me, this chill, like it had fused itself to my skin and burrowed into my bones. Everything was quiet now. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that makes you feel like you’re the last thing left breathing. Rose stirred softly in my arms, her tiny fingers brushing my cheek. She blinked up at me with sleep-drenched eyes, her little brow furrowing in confusion. "Mommy...?" Her voice was raspy, barely louder than a breath. "What’s that smell?" I froze. I could smell it too—blood and smoke and something else. Something worse. A metallic rot that made my stomach churn. I turned her face into my neck and pulled her close. "Don’t look, baby. Don’t open your eyes, okay? Just... just stay with me. Mommy’s here." "But... what happened? Where’s Alex?" she whimpered. I didn’t know how to answer her. How do you explain something you don’t understand? How do you shield a child from a nightmare that has no shape, no logic? I pressed my hand gently over her eyes. "Please, Rose. Don’t open them. Just keep them closed. Just listen to Mommy’s voice." I tried to stand, my legs wobbling underneath me. My surroundings swayed, blurred. My head throbbed. There had to be a way out. There had to be something I missed. Some crack in this cursed place that I could squeeze through and drag my baby girl with me. I stepped carefully through the rubble, avoiding the worst of it—the blood, the limbs, the twisted shapes that were once people. I didn’t even know who they were. I didn’t want to know. I pressed Rose’s face tighter into my neck, whispering gently, "Don’t be scared, baby. Mommy’s here. We’re okay. We’re gonna find a way out. I promise." But I was lying. I didn’t know where to go or why the gates won’t open. Every exit I tried had been useless. The trees shifted when I turned corners, as though the estate itself was watching, rearranging itself to trap me, or it was all in my head. I stumbled into the garden, once beautiful and fragrant, now smeared with blood and covered in debris. The flowers were crushed, and some were dripping with blood. I cried out, "Is anyone here? Please! Someone answer me!" Nothing. Just that awful silence. I felt so small. So forgotten. Why did they leave me? Why would they all just vanish? I’d barely known Jacob, but he had become something like safety to me. He’d saved me multiple times. So why... why not again? Tears poured freely down my cheeks. I could feel my pulse hammering in my throat. "They forgot about me," I whispered, broken. "Everyone forgot. They left me here to die." Rose whimpered again, confused, frightened. "Mommy... please take me home." "I’m trying," I choked, sinking to my knees again. "I’m so sorry. I don’t know where home is anymore." She didn’t understand. How could she? She was three. And I was pregnant. Pregnant. The realization hit me again like a cruel slap. There was another life inside me, and I couldn’t even protect the one in my arms. My body shook from the weight of it all. My chest felt hollow. I lowered my forehead to Rose’s soft curls and cried. Suddenly, a gust of wind rushed through the trees—warm and fragrant, like earth after rain. I lifted my head, dazed. A figure materialized right in front of me. Golden-brown hair, green eyes glowing faintly in the dark. "Tiger," I breathed, my voice cracking. He dropped to his knees without a word. No hesitation. No distance. Just immediate warmth. His strong arms wrapped around me and Rose, pulling us into his solid chest. "I’m so sorry," he whispered, his deep voice thick with guilt. "Easter—I’m so, so sorry." I broke. All the fear, all the despair—everything burst from me in ragged sobs. "Where were you?" I wept into his shoulder. "Everyone was gone. Griffin disappeared right in front of me. And then Alex—he just vanished—and I didn’t know what to do—I thought everyone abandoned me—!" "You weren’t abandoned," he said fiercely, his hand cradling the back of my head. "We didn’t mean to leave you. I didn’t know... I didn’t know you were still inside. Forgive me." "I was so scared..." I whispered. "I know," he said, hugging us tighter. "I know, sweetheart." Rose peeked up through my hair. Her eyes still close, her fingers still clung to my dress. "Mommy? Who is it?" Tiger pulled back just enough to look at her, his expression softening instantly. "Hi baby," he said gently. "It’s uncle Tiger. You’re safe now, I promise." "Are you gonna take us away from here? I don’t like hearing my mommy cry." she asked her voice shaking. Tiger met my gaze. "Please," I whispered, desperate. "I don’t want to be here anymore. I can’t... not another minute." His hand found mine, big and warm and grounding. "Okay," he said. And just like that—the world blinked. Colors and light spun around us like ribbons of magic, and the next thing I knew, we were no longer in the estate. We were standing in the middle of a glade. It was still night, but soft golden lights sparkled overhead, hanging from branches like tiny stars. Trees arched protectively over a warm, rustic cabin nestled in the woods. The air smelled of pine and firewood and something sweet—like cinnamon and honey. I blinked in disbelief. The cabin glowed with life. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and somewhere in the distance, crickets sang. I was trembling. Even in this peace, the trauma clung to me. My arms shook from exhaustion. My skin felt stretched too tight. Tiger reached for Rose gently. "May I?" I nodded, numb. He took her from my arms with practiced ease, then crouched slightly so they were face to face. "You can open your eyes now, sweetheart," he said softly. She blinked. Her green eyes widened in wonder. "Woah..." Tiger smiled. "You’re safe here. This is my home." He looked back at me and offered his hand. "Come. Let me take care of you." I hesitated. My legs were stiff, like they weren’t part of me anymore. But I took his hand. His fingers were familiar, rough and warm—like soil, like tree bark, like something real. He led me up the wooden porch, the lights twinkling gently above us. A breeze whispered through my curls as we stepped inside. The cabin was... beautiful. Soft wooden floors. A stone fireplace already lit. The walls were lined with bookshelves and woven tapestries. It smelled like herbs and old stories. "Do you come her often?" I asked shakily. Tiger nodded. "When I need to breathe. When the world gets too loud." I looked around, overwhelmed. "It’s like something out of a dream." "No," he said, setting Rose gently onto a plush couch and tucking a knitted blanket around her. "This is real. And you’re safe now." I leaned against the doorframe, arms wrapped around myself. I could still see the blood in my mind. Still hear the silence. Tiger crossed the room and stood in front of me. "I’ll keep you safe," he said. "Both of you." I stared at him, tears threatening again. "Why? Why are you being so kind to me?" "Because you matter," he said, without hesitation. "Because Jacob would never forgive himself if something happened to you. And because... I see you, Easter. Even when you think no one does." My throat tightened. "I was really scared," I whispered. "I know," he said. "But you don’t have to be anymore." I looked over at Rose. She was already drifting to sleep again, safe and warm. And for the first time in hour, —I breathed. Tiger stood beside me, quiet and strong. Like the earth itself had chosen to hold me up. And I let it.

Chapter 206: Not Forgotten

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