Unstoppable Force

Chapter 3

Oakleigh

Ugh, everything was fine until sleep ruined it. I woke up to see Carrington freaking out, flailing around, and drenched in sweat. I tried to wake him up, but it only made things worse. Then next thing I know, he's on top of me, holding me down with a deadly grip on my arms. It's like everything was conspiring against me.

I can't believe it! Fear paralyzed my body, while my mind was overrun with sheer bewilderment and chaos. How is this even possible? Carrington was supposed to be my haven, my rock, but now he's transformed into a complete stranger, consumed by some ominous force.

No matter how scared I was, I had to figure out a way to get through to him and pull him out of this goddamn nightmare he was stuck in. I tried yelling and coaxing him back to reality, but he was too damn consumed with his own fears and anxieties to even acknowledge me.

I couldn't believe how endless it felt, being pinned down by Carrington's fidgety frame. I was at a loss for what to do next, each passing second dragging on in agonizing slow motion. The unknown loomed over me like a dark cloud, and the fear of what might come next only fueled my frustration. And to top it all off, I knew this was just the start of a grueling, exasperating trial that would push our relationship to its limits.

Finally, Carrington jolts awake and frantically looks around the room with a bewildered expression. But as soon as he notices he's pinned me to the bed, he recoils in shock and his heart starts racing with pure panic. He clumsily gets out of bed, mumbling apologies and curses under his breath while hastily getting dressed to leave. I try to keep him from running away, shouting for him to stay and begging him to listen, but he's too wrapped up in his own guilt and shame to pay any damn attention.

He storms out like a raging bull, leaving me stranded in this godforsaken hotel room, feeling like a punch in the gut. What the hell was going through his mind and why did Carrington have to go ballistic over something that wasn't even his damn fault?

Despite my attempt for days to reach out to him, all I get is dead air and silence. Is he ever going to give me a response or are we doomed to have this rift between us forever? It's infuriating to think that all it takes is one moment of fear and panic to ruin what could have been a great relationship. All I'm left with is the memories of what we could have had and the frustration of not knowing if there's anything left to salvage.

The stupid sun was shining way too bright today, and those birds wouldn't shut up as I frantically shoved my stuff into my bags. That house, the one that was supposed to be my sanctuary, had become a trap. It was where I had shared all my deepest secrets with my girls, but now it felt like a suffocating prison. Every damn day, I was haunted by memories that made my heart ache.

I slammed the keys onto the table, shoving them into Emberlynn's hands. "Don't you dare tell anyone about me leaving, you hear me?" I growled. "I need to disappear. I can't keep living like this."

"Hey Oaks, I understand the need to disappear! But I totally understand the need to start fresh. Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Consider this your head start to build an awesome new life! Love you, sis. And remember, stay safe out there." Emberlynn wraps me in a big hug.

I stepped away from my doorstep, heading towards the airport. Despite my steady pace, my mind was still reeling from the events that had led me to this moment. As I settled into my seat on the plane, I gazed out the window and watched as the cityscape faded away into a blur of greens and blues. The tears that had welled up in my eyes earlier had now dried up, but the pain remained. I had abandoned everything and everyone I knew, and there was no going back. The heaviness in my chest was palpable - a feeling of heartbreak and uncertainty that seemed impossible to shake off.

I'm not avoiding anything. I'm taking the necessary steps to recover and become whole again.

As the days passed, then weeks and eventually months, I found myself wandering aimlessly, searching for something to fill the emptiness inside of me. Despite my travels and encounters with new faces, my healing eluded me. One day, the decision to return home was made for me when I realized it had been a year since I left. I had sought refuge in the bustling city of New York, hoping to leave behind my troubled past and forge a fresh start. But upon my return, my sanctuary was shattered by the blaring sound of my home alarm and the sight of police officers swarming the area.

The news of my home's destruction hit me like a ton of bricks. I had moved to the suburbs hoping for a fresh start, away from the troubles of my past. But it seemed like my efforts were futile, as my problems had caught up with me once again. I couldn't help but wonder if Carrington, my lost love, had finally tracked me down and broken into my home. However, a more plausible explanation was that a disturbed individual with unknown motives was behind the vandalism. Regardless, the reality of the situation was grim and left me feeling vulnerable and exposed.

The moment I laid eyes on the wreckage in the room, I knew I had to leave. The violation I felt at the thought of someone having gone through my personal belongings was unbearable. Staying in that house any longer seemed impossible. I had to get away from there, and quickly. I immediately contacted Austin, my closest confidante, and requested that she collect me from the airport. Packing my things and departing the house, I couldn't shake the feeling of being a stranger in my own abode.

It's surreal to find myself at the police station, giving my account of what happened. My mind is racing, thinking about the consequences of Austin discovering my secret. Will she despise me? I'm well aware of the mistake I made, leaving and never contacting her. I'm praying that Austin will forgive me and we can overcome this issue together. As for everyone else, I can only hope that they can empathize and pardon me.

The officer's tone was serious as he questioned Mrs. Evans. "Do you have any idea who might have broken into your home?" he asked. "Have you received any threats recently?"

I sighed and shook my head. "I don't have any enemies," she replied. "I can't understand why someone would do this to me." The sadness in my voice was palpable, and the officer could tell that this break-in had deeply affected her.

The law enforcement officer displayed a compassionate gesture, acknowledging the situation with a silent nod. "We will make every possible effort to uncover the perpetrator," he pledged. "In the interim, prioritize your own well-being and inform us of any details that may aid our investigation."

After thanking the police officers, I gather my things and walk out into the bright sunshine. I can't help feeling apprehensive about what lies ahead. Before setting off on my next journey, I make a quick stop at the bank to withdraw my funds. However, as I contemplate my next move, the reality of my situation sinks in. This isn't just another adventure. It's a reckoning. With a heavy heart, I called for an Uber to take me to the airport.

Upon my arrival in Wyoming, I hastily retrieved my carry-on and an additional bag that had been tucked away beneath my seat. I was aware that I would have to shop for the essentials I had left behind, but the time was already 7 pm, and I was depleted from the events of the day. The day had been long and exhausting, filled with unexpected twists and turns, and I craved nothing more than a peaceful rest.

Regrettably, my day took a turn for the worse as Austin appeared before me, and I have a feeling that Cortland won't be too far behind. The sight of them fills me with unease, adding another layer of drama to my already complicated life. What a mess! I suppose it's time to face the music.

"Hey, Oaks," Austin greets me, taking notice of the objects I'm clutching in my hands.

Hello Austin, allow me to introduce you to Kole and Kolton," I announce, presenting the twin babies in their carriers. Austin's expression changes as she gazes at the first carrier, indicating that she recognizes the father. Her reaction shifts from recognition to shock and eventually to fury, which I notice with keen observation.

"I never thought he would repeat his brother's mistakes with you," Austin mutters, visibly annoyed.

"Let's not dwell on it now, Austin. It's been a rough day for me," I respond in a composed tone.

Austin takes hold of one of the carriers when Cortland suddenly appears. His expression changes to one of surprise, but Austin smoothly requests that he wait until we're in the car and on our way home.

As I settled the boys into their car seats, my mind raced with all the tasks I still needed to complete that day. Just then, Austin, always curious, began to turn around to ask me her usual round of questions. I quickly interrupted her, hoping to avoid the inevitable deluge of inquiries. Meanwhile, Cortland, our trusty rearview mirror sentinel, watched over us as we pulled away from the curb.

"Well, that damn night of your wedding. Carrington and I hooked up, but that's not even the worst part. Carrington had a freaking nightmare and ended up trapping me underneath him in his confused state. He bolted out of there as soon as he realized what happened and went radio silent on me. I tried reaching out, but he blocked my calls and texts. Honestly, I had enough of his bullshit and decided to move on with my life.” I explained how I had ended up a single mother of twin boys.

“You know he deserves to know he's a dad," Austin suggests. She totally gets how important this is, having gone through a similar situation with Cortland."

"I mean, what was I supposed to do? I couldn't even call him because he had blocked me! I had to resort to sending letters and ultrasound pictures, hoping he'd get the message. But who knows if he even bothered to read them or give a damn about our boys!" I retorted, my voice dripping with frustration.

"He made the choice to not be a part of their lives, but I gave him the opportunity," I retorted with exasperation.

"Hey Oaks, I find it hard to believe that he knew about the boys and didn't tell you. Actually, he was pretty worried about you going missing and even hired a Private Detective to help track you down," Cortland said, shrugging it off.

"I find it highly unlikely that he tracked me down so easily. My belongings are securely held in a blind trust, and the initial letter he received was sent by my attorney, who was located in a different city than me. It's a shame he neglected to read the follow-up letters that disclosed my pregnancy, despite having my contact information and never reaching out to me," I explained.

"I see your point about the boys, but what led you to call me from the police station?" Austin inquired, her voice conveying a sense of gravity and worry.

“My damn house got broken into, and some sicko went through my stuff and left my freaking lingerie all over my bed like they had some kind of freaking s*x party. He decided it would be a good Idea to leave his DNA all over my underwear. If you catch my drift. It's beyond violating and makes me freaking uncomfortable. And you want to know what really f*****g pisses me off?! The freaking state of the boys' room! It's destroyed! Like, what the hell is wrong with these people?!”

Austin's voice was tinged with worry as she spoke to me. "We have to be cautious. It's possible that this person is stalking you, and if they find you here, it could be dangerous. Have you thought about how you'll stay safe?"

I shook my head, looking troubled. "I didn't have much time to plan. I withdrew some money from my local bank account and used some of my trust funds to book a flight here. My plan is to go back to my house and assess the situation before figuring out what to do next."

I trailed off, clearly feeling overwhelmed by the situation.

"Oaks, we're not letting you stay there alone," Austin insists. "We can't risk your safety, so we'll have to figure out a way to keep you and the boys with us for now."

I nod in agreement, trying to hold back the tears that threaten to spill over. It's overwhelming to think about everything that's happened in such a short amount of time. Cortland assures me that he'll make arrangements for security measures before we leave.

As we pull up to their house, I feel a sense of relief mixed with fear. I tuck the boys into bed with me, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Tomorrow will be a new day, and I'll have to face Carrington Carter. I'm drained and have no energy left to fight.

At dawn, I rose from my slumber, drained of energy. Despite my fatigue, I pushed myself to reach the kitchen. My sons were engrossed in play on the floor, where Austin Had taken them to allow me to sleep. I joined them without hesitation.

"Oaks and Cortland, it's time we invited Carrington over before your parents return with Ryder, Levi, and Carli," Austin proposed.

I spoke with a heavy heart, "It pains me that I couldn't be there for my dearest friend's delivery."

"Well, well, well! I can totally relate to why that went down. Let's just promise not to repeat history, okay? *wink wink* Speaking of which, what's the scoop on Carrington? Spill the tea, honey!" Austin says teasingly.

"Hey there, amigo! Is there something you've been itching to spill?" I asked, with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.

"Well, my dear Oaks, let me put your suspicions to rest - there's no bun in this oven! But with all the lovin' Cortland and I share; the odds are definitely in favor of a future mini-me. *wink*" Austin replies.

"Well, it's not like I can help it if my better half is a walking, talking embodiment of sexiness," quips Cortland. "But hey, Oaks, do you want me to hit up Carrington and get you a little piece of that action?"

"Ugh, I guess we better tackle it now instead of dragging our feet," I mutter under my breath while absentmindedly twirling my hair. Yay, the s**t is about to hit the Damn fan.