LOGINShare
Chapter 52
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 53
Brax's POVThe sound of the front door creaking open pulled me from my thoughts. The light-hearted banter between Kasey and me died down as I turned to see Dillon stepping into the room. His face was a mask of forced nonchalance, but I knew him too well. Something was off.Then she appeared.Willow stood in the doorway, her eyes searching the room before locking onto mine. My heart clenched, and an almost imperceptible distance seemed to close between us. Everyone around us faded into the background, and it was just her and me, caught in a moment suspended in time.I took a step forward, my voice caught in my throat. "Willow," I managed to choke out, the word heavy with all the emotions I'd bottled up.She hesitated for a second, her eyes flicking briefly to Dillon, and then back to me. "Hi, Brax," she replied softly, her voice a fragile thread that held so much unspoken weight.I wanted to run to her, to hold her close and reassure her that everything would be okay. But I could see
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 54
Willow's POVI let out a shaky breath as I pulled away from Brax. My lips still tingled from the touch of his, but a storm of emotions swirled inside me. Would he still feel the same way if he knew everything? There was so much he didn't understand, so much I was keeping from him. Yet, here we were, each lost in our own thoughts, our bodies warming the cold space between us.The silence stretched, and I could feel the need to break it, to spill everything. But the words wouldn't come. Instead, I focused on the small, comforting circle of warmth his hands created around mine. "Brax," I began, unsure of how to continue. His name felt heavy on my tongue as if it carried all the fears I couldn't voice. "Things are... complicated."He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching mine. "Willow, whatever it is, we can figure it out together."I wanted so desperately to believe him. The strength in his eyes mirrored a promise, one of battling whatever darkness lay ahead. I knew he meant it, but
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 55
Willows povSteve's footsteps eventually faded away, leaving behind an oppressive silence. My breath came in ragged gasps, the adrenaline surging through my veins making my hands tremble. I pressed my palm against the throbbing cheek, willing myself to regain composure. If I faltered now, everything I had worked for would be in vain.I glanced at the mansion, its intimidating silhouette casting long shadows that seemed to stretch and cling to every corner of my existence. In the fading light, it looked more like a fortress of grief rather than a home. But it was still my battlefield, and I was ready to fight.Turning back to my little flat, I picked up my backpack and stepped inside, closing the door softly behind me. The small apartment felt stifling, but it offered a temporary reprieve from Steve’s wrath. Walking to the tiny bathroom, I turned on the tap, letting the cold water run over my hand before splashing it onto my face. The icy sting helped clear my mind, momentarily washing
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 56
Willow's POVThe morning arrived, and the tension in my muscles reminded me of my mission. I stretched my sore limbs and glanced out the window. Steve’s house was a fortress from which I would extract his darkest secrets. I hadn't slept well, and my mind was filled with plans and counter plans. I needed to be careful. One wrong move could cost me everything.Approaching the window cautiously, I peered outside to watch the routine unfold. My eyes followed Nat as she stepped out and got into her car. I was learning Steve's schedules, routines, and who came and went from the mansion. Nat drove away, unaware of the web I was weaving around her family. About an hour later, I saw Steve’s men show up. They were his enforcers, the ones who executed his orders without question. They lingered for a bit before they all, including Steve, got into their cars and left. It was only noon.“This is my chance,” I whispered to myself. I glanced at the clock, knowing my mother would be down for her midda
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 57
Willows povThere she stood, my mother, a glass of red wine clutched in her hand. Her eyes narrowed, scrutinising me with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.I swallowed hard, my mind racing to find an excuse. "I was just... looking for some paper for a school assignment." My voice sounded weak, even to my own ears. My heart pounded so loudly that I was sure she could hear it.She took a step closer, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Really, Willow? You think I’m that stupid?" Her tone was mocking, dripping with hostility.I tried to maintain a calm facade. "Yes, Mum. I... I just needed some paper." I moved to walk past her, hoping to escape her grip, but her hand shot out, grabbing my arm and stopping me."I know you're lying. Now tell me the truth." Her grip tightened, nails digging into my skin. Her face loomed close, the smell of alcohol heavy on her breath."Let go of me and mind your own business," I shot back, the fear in my voice replaced with defiance.Her eyes widened fo
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 58
Brax's POV I stared at Willow's text, a mixture of relief and trepidation flooding through me. She had agreed to come to the party, and that meant I had a chance to make things right. I couldn't screw this up. Pulling myself together, I decided to head out and make sure everything would be perfect for tonight. I hopped into my car, my mind racing with thoughts of how to apologise, how to explain my anger, how to reassure her that she could trust me. Driving through the city, I stopped by a florist and grabbed a bouquet of her favourite flowers—white lilies. As I headed to a nearby store, I picked up a new suit, something sharp enough to impress yet simple enough to take a backseat to her beauty. My heart was pounding as I arrived back home, laying out the flowers and suit in my room. Tonight had to be perfect; it just had to be. As the clock ticked closer to seven, I found myself fidgeting more, checking and rechecking the suit I had laid out. My phone buzzed once more, and I gra
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 59
Willow's POVI heard a bang at the door, followed by Nat's unmistakable voice."Willow! Let me in!"Before I could react, Nat burst into the room, her arms overflowing with an assortment of dresses. Her excitement was palpable as she dropped the load on the couch and yanked a suitcase into the flat."Oh my gosh, Willow! I'm so excited that you're coming tonight!" Nat beamed. "I brought so many dresses for you to try. Tonight’s going to be magical!"I raised an eyebrow, unable to resist her infectious enthusiasm despite my roiling emotions. "I don't know, Nat. I’ve got a lot on my mind."Nat waved her hand dismissively. "Not tonight, you don’t. Tonight, you’re going to be the belle of the ball."She opened the suitcase, and we spent the afternoon sifting through dresses. Each one was beautiful, but none of them felt right. The more we went through, the more my anxiety grew.Nat handed me the last dress with a triumphant smile. "Trust me, you’re going to fall in love with this one."It
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 60
Brax’s povThe rhythmic ticking of my watch grated on my nerves like steel on stone—9:45 PM. I needed to be at the party with Willow, yet here I was, in a grimy warehouse, staring down a defiant man bound to a chair. Blood stained my knuckles and dripped onto the cold concrete floor, mixing with the dim light that barely illuminated the cavernous space."I told you, I don't have the money," the man spat, his voice trembling yet resolute.I clenched my fists, the acrid smell of sweat and fear hanging heavy in the air. "That's not good enough," I growled, glancing at the digital face of my watch again. I needed to be out of this hellhole and with Willow, not dealing with my father's dirty work."Please," he continued, his eyes pleading. "Give me a week. I'll get the money."I stared him down, my mind flashing to images of Willow—her laughter, her strength—and the stark contrast to my current situation. Willow deserved someone better, someone free from a world where violence was whispere
Latest chapter
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 92: Lost in Shadows
Brax’s POVThe stairs creaked beneath my feet, snapping me out of the daze that clouded my mind. The room I was leaving behind still held traces of my last distraction, yet there was only emptiness echoing in my heart. I passed by a mirror in the hallway and caught a glimpse of myself—a mess of unkept hair and a face that seemed older than its years. Even the girl up there, with her long black hair similar to Willow’s, didn’t fill the void.Descending the stairs, I grabbed a drink from the makeshift bar on the kitchen counter. The cool liquid burned, a somber reminder of how far I’d fallen since Willow left. A chorus of familiar voices floated in from the living room where the guys were gathered. I moved over and dropped onto the couch, positioning myself where I could observe quietly.“Hey, man, you good?” Dillion asked, glancing at me over his shoulder.“Yeah, just tired,” I said, feigning a lightness in my tone that I didn’t feel. My eyes followed Dillon’s line of sight, noticing h
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 91: A Knock at the Door
Willow's POVThe echo of the knock startled me, piercing through the silence like a knife. For days, I had waded through the murky waters of my thoughts, lost in the whirlwind of emotions that defined my existence. The flat was my sanctuary, yet it also felt like a cage, confining me in its walls while I waited for the chaos to unfold around me.Steve was away, and although his absence lifted a heavy weight, the uncertainty that loomed was almost worse than his presence. Marco had not called on me since I last saw him, which was a relief but also a worry at the same time. And Brax's image danced through my mind—haunting and unattainable.Bracing myself, I tiptoed toward the door and peeked hesitantly through the small window. Relief and confusion swept over me at the same time when I recognised Brody, David's son, standing on the other side, shuffling his feet nervously.I hesitated for a moment before opening the door, expecting anything but this. "Brody? What are you doing here?" My
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 90
The moonlight cast long shadows on the dimly lit alleyways as I ran, each breath a reality crashing down on me as tears streamed from my eyes. My feet pounded the pavement, echoing the decisions I couldn’t walk away from. There was no time for hesitation or second-guessing. The stakes were too high, and Brax’s life was on the line. Once home, I threw on a pair of jeans and a hoodie before grabbing all the things I had stolen. Every part of me screamed to stop, to breathe, but all I could think of was making my way to David’s. The pounding dread surged through me as I pushed past the front door, launching myself into the night.David’s house loomed before me, a beacon of what little hope I had left. I banged relentlessly on the door, my impatience punctuating each knock until finally, Brody, his son, swung it open.“Is your dad home?” I blurted out.“No, he's at work. What’s going on?” he asked, concern furrowing his brow.I thrust the bag into his arms, urgency lacing my voice. "Give
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 89: The Party
Brax's POVThe taste of whiskey burned like fire, numbing every part of me that still felt pain. It was my armour of choice tonight—a shield against memories that refused to stay buried. Dylan and Kasey watched with eyes full of quiet concern, but they understood. Sometimes, all you could do was let the liquor drown the ghosts before they drowned you.Stumbling through the party, the music pounded around me, a relentless rhythm that shook the ground. It promised a temporary escape, a distraction from Willow's haunting presence. But tonight wasn't about peace; it was about surrendering to something primal, something that roared inside me at the sight of Lana across the room.Lana had been an escape before—a fleeting, physical release. As I staggered towards her, the rage inside me simmered. Her friends barely blinked when I grabbed her wrist, pulling her away. We lived in a world where such bold moves were neither new nor shocking."Brax," she breathed, a sultry promise layered in ever
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 88
: Brax's POVSilence enveloped the room after Willow's departure, a vacuum so absolute it felt almost tangible. I stood in the chaos we had created—the shattered dish on the floor, the imprint of my fist on the wall, and the lingering echo of her defiant words. Anger, confusion, and an aching sadness twisted inside me, each emotion wrestling for dominance. I ran my hand through my hair, tugging at the roots in frustration.How had we gotten here? I wanted to hate her for pushing me away, for labelling me as not enough. Yet, underneath the fiery surface, I knew the truth—my heart had chosen her long before I was ready to admit it, and now I was stuck in limbo, unable to move forward without her.Disgusted with the state of things, I left the room, forcing my leaden feet down the stairs. Kasey and Dillon were still in the foyer, their faces reflecting concern and questions they dared not voice aloud. I couldn't deal with their probing eyes or the pity masked as sympathy."Brax…" Dillon
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 87: Unravelling
Willow's POVWatching Brax leave the room felt like watching safety slip through my fingers. The clatter of the lock was a reminder of the mess my life had become. It was ironic being locked in a room that felt more like a sanctuary than a trap.My mind was a mess of worry; Brax could have just wrecked everything I had been working so hard towards. However, Macro had already been useful in getting me into places that I would have never been able to do on my own. But now it all might have been for nothing, all because Brax couldn’t do as I asked and leave me alone.As I sat there trying to work out how I was going to get out of this mess, I felt the pills I had taken before going into the room with Marco take effect, which wasn’t a good thing. I needed a clear mind to talk my way out of this with Brax and get back to Marco before he went to Steve and everything that I had done was worked out.Getting up, I headed for the bathroom, not because I was obeying Brax but because I hoped a co
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 86
Brax's POVMy hands shook as I clutched the doorframe, the sight in front of me branding itself into my mind. Willow—my Willow—entwined with another man. Her naked body pressed against him. I couldn't believe it. Anger exploded, every rational thought igniting in a blaze of betrayal.My voice came out like a low growl, a thunderous roar that reverberated off the walls. "Willow!"She spun around, her eyes wide with desperation, her body scrambling for cover. Panic painted her features as she grabbed a bedsheet, clutching it to her skin. The man beside her had the audacity to open his mouth, likely to threaten me or beg for mercy. I didn't care.Before he could utter a word, I crossed the room and grabbed him by the collar. My fists flew, driven by a vengeful fire. Each punch landed with a satisfying crunch, a symphony of anger echoing within the confines of the room."Brax, stop!" Willow's scream pierced through my fury, her voice laced with panic and something else, something I couldn
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 85
Brax’s POVMy mind was an unending loop of worry that circled around Willow. Weeks had passed since I last saw her face or heard her voice, and her absence carved a hollow ache in me that I couldn't ignore. The reports from the men I had watching her became increasingly sparse, as though she had somehow worked out that they were following her and had found a way to avoid them. She wasn’t at school, avoided parties, and anywhere I expected her to be.Work from my father kept me preoccupied, but it brought no peace. Meetings filled with strained respect and unspoken threats blurred together with each assignment he gave me. This life, the one paved for me before I was even born, was all I had known. But since Willow, all I ever did was wish for an escape. My father’s expectations loomed over me like a persistent shadow, whispering of future obligations I didn’t want, but I would take if it meant keeping her safe.I stood at my front door, the day’s stress weighing on me heavily. The fami
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 84: Into the Darkness
Willow's POVThe fight with Nat replayed in my head, and guilt ate away at me. My phone hadn't stopped buzzing for hours with calls and messages from both Brax and Dillion. I knew that Nat would go back to them and tell them everything. Looking down at my phone, Brax’s name flashed across the screen. I picked it up, holding it for a second. Rage bubbled within me. Why couldn’t they just leave me alone? I couldn’t take it anymore. I threw my phone as hard as I could at a tree, watching it smash into pieces.Standing up, I left the park. If I was going to get things done, I had to turn off all my emotions. I needed to be stronger and smarter. And then the idea came to me. Turning around, I made my way to one of Steve's houses, where I hoped Marco would be.The house wasn’t far from the park. I had been here a few times, and I knew Marco spent a lot of his time there. As the house came into view, my heart began to race in my chest. I stopped pulling the pill bottle out of my pocket and
