Heartbreaking Betrayal

You wake up the next morning feeling exhausted, having barely gotten any sleep. Your brain had refused to turn off, filling you with so many what-ifs that you honestly debated whether being alive was worth all the trouble. It was difficult, but you finally managed to talk yourself off the edge and get at least a few hours of sleep.

You untangle yourself from Ross' blanket, looking around the room. True to his word, he had stayed on the couch the entire night and left you alone. You're glad for it, he didn't need to see you on the brink of a mental breakdown not even twenty-four hours after meeting you.

Ross is still in the living room when you come out, mumbling to himself. His eyes go immediately to you when you step into the outer edge of his vision. A soft smile graces his face and he can't help but chuckle. "Damn, I was really hoping you wouldn't be able to walk." he says teasingly, "I obviously didn't do my job right since you're up and about."

"Maybe next time you'll get it right." you say, tenderly taking a seat next to him.

He doesn't reach out to hold you, something you are extremely grateful for. You don't feel up for physical contact at the moment.

"Have you talked to your dad?" you ask.

He shakes his head. "He won't pick up the phone. Not surprising at all." he says, sighing, "No doubt he's left for business and won't be back anytime soon."

You nod, looking at your phone for a moment. There are no texts or calls from your father, surprising since you never let him know what you were up to last night. Normally your phone would have been bogged down from calls and messages by now.

"I think he's in on it too." you say softly, looking to the window, "I need to talk to him, see if it's true."

"I can drive you down there." Ross offers, "I can't stay for long though, I have class. Maybe you can take the key for here and get a cab if things go south?"

You nod and take the spare key from him. "I've got your number, I'll text you when I know what's up- just don't be surprised if you come home to me bawling in your living room."

He gives you a soft, understanding smile. "I'll see you tonight then." he says, giving you an odd look before gently placing a kiss on your cheek. You smile at that, appreciating the small gesture at a time like this.

He drives you to your house and you can't help but feel like something is... Off. Your dad's car isn't there. Strange, as it is now Sunday and he never works those. The curtains are all closed and the lawn has been trampled. What is going on?

Ross has left by the time you reached the door. It's locked, another oddity in this situation. Your dad would have never locked the door, being a firm believer that anyone could swing by whenever they pleased if they needed anything. Thankfully, he reminded you to grab the spare key before you left last night. You hadn't thought much of it then, simply thinking he would lock the door and be in bed already if you were out late. Now, you have no idea what to believe.

That feeling doesn't stay long. The door swings open to reveal an empty house. All of your dad's personal belongings are gone, from his little knick-knacks to the pictures he had of him and your mother. The furniture is either covered or gone and a few boxes sit by the doorway. You see a note sitting on top of them. You reluctantly pick it up and begin to read.

'Lexus,

You have and always will be my darling little boy. I have loved you from the moment you came into the world, took care of you from the moment your mother took her last breath, and watched you grow into a capable young man. I love you, but I'm afraid my love for you is not enough this time.

You know how much I loved your mother, you know how much I've yearned to be with her after everything that happened. She was my soulmate and I've missed her so much over the years. I have been loyal to her since her passing, refusing to move on no matter who comes my way. I'm afraid, if I stay, I will not be able to keep those promises to her.

The government has reached out to me since you have come of age. They have told me that I have to enter the breeding period or I will be arrested. But I cannot bring myself to do so. I promised your mother to be faithful and never lie with another. There is only one way to keep that promise now. By the time you have found this letter, I will be with her once more.

I know this will break your heart, but I haven't wanted to live for quite some time. But I stayed for you, because I loved you too much to leave you to the wolves. I know Ross will take care of you, Grant has reassured me of this. If things do not work as we planned, I have already sold off most of our things that you shouldn't need and the house is already paid off, so you have nothing to worry about concerning where you will stay. I already put aside money for my funeral, if they do find me. There is a hefty trust fund in your name that will become available to you once you are confirmed to be pregnant and every penny I have has been put into your bank account. This is my last gift to you.

Know that I love you and that this is not your fault. Without you, I would have died so much sooner, missed out on so much. There was nothing you could do to stop me.

I love you Lexus. Never forget how much I loved you.

-Dad'

You are openly crying at this point. You knew your father was a little depressed about what happened, but he had been doing so much better! You flinch as your cell phone rings. You already know what is to come.

It doesn't stop you from screaming as the officer tells you what you already know.