The Mark That Wasn’t Mine Chapter 06
He drove back to the pack house in a daze. It wasÂ
eerily quiet at the entrance. The wall where theÂ
group photo had once hung was now nothing butÂ
a pale, empty rectangle.Â
“Sarah?” His voice echoed in the silence. “Sarah,Â
this isn’t funny!”Â
He rushed into the bedroom and yanked open the closet. Only his clothes were hanging inside; herÂ
closet was completely empty. All the drawersÂ
were empty, and the toiletries on the bathroomÂ
counter had been cleared away.Â
“No… no, Sarah, how could you do this to me!”Â
He staggered back into the living room, collapsedÂ
onto the sofa, and buried his face in his hands.Â
Just then, he saw it.Â
There was a piece of paper on the coffee table.Â
With trembling hands, he picked it up.Â
Death Certificate: Eleanor Walker.Â
A cry burst from his throat, and tears streamedÂ
down his cheeks.Â
The woman who treated him like her ownÂ
grandson is dead. It was his fault. He ruinedÂ
everything.Â
The electronic lock on the door beeped. EmilyÂ
walked in, looking worried.Â
“Alex? Honey, are you okay? You look terrible.” SheÂ
reached out and gently touched his arm. “Don’tÂ
worry, I’m here now. If Sarah’s gone, she’s gone.Â
You still have me. I’ll always be by your side-”Â
“Get out!” He jumped up from the couch andÂ
shoved her away. “Get out of my house! I neverÂ
want to see you again!”Â
She fell heavily to the ground.Â
“Are you out of your mind?!” she screamed,Â
struggling to get to her feet. “You’re the one whoÂ
marked me! You’re the one who said you loved meÂ
and needed me! And now you’re blaming me? YouÂ
hit me!”Â
“It’s you!” He strode forward and grabbed her byÂ
the throat. “You’re the one who posted thoseÂ
photos! You did it on purpose! Didn’t you!”Â
“So what!” Emily’s face twisted into a snarl. “That self–righteous bitch Sarah–a parasite living off her trust fund! I’m glad I took everything from her!”Â
Alex couldn’t believe she could say something soÂ
cruel.Â
“Pack your stuff and get out,” he said in a low voice. “Get out right now, or I’ll make you pay backÂ
every penny she gave you, with interest. I’ll ruinÂ
your reputation and make sure you can never return to the pack!”Â
Fear flickered in her eyes. She knew he could do it.Â
She staggered to her feet, grabbed her purse, andÂ
ran off.Â
Silence fell once more, and he slumped to theÂ
ground.Â
“Sarah… where are you…” He bowed his headÂ
deeply, tears falling onto the floor. “I’m sorry…Â
please… come home.”Â
Only the steady hum of the refrigerator answeredÂ
him.

