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Chapter 61
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
Broken willowtree thank you so much to everyone who has been reading this story. It means the world to me. Lots of exciting things are happening very soon. Also, don't forget to leave your feedback I love reading comments.
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Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 62
Willow’s POV Standing on the curb as Dillon and Brax drove away, a wave of dread washed over me. My heart ached, a twisted knot of fear and worry for both of them. They each held a piece of my heart, and the thought of anything happening to them was unbearable.I didn’t realise how long I’d been staring after their car until Nat called my name. “Willow! Are you coming?”“Yeah,” I replied, pulling myself together. I climbed into Kasey’s car, feeling oppressed by the silence of the ride back. I had hoped we’d go to Brax's parents’ place, but Kasey drove us to Brax’s house instead. The chance to inform Brax’s father of what I’d discovered would have to wait. I'll call him later, I promised myself.As we pulled up, I got out of the car and waited for Nat to say goodbye to Kasey. Their budding romance was a flicker of light in the darkness I found myself navigating. The way Nat's eyes sparkled whenever she looked at him made me envy her carefree existence, even if just for a moment.“God.
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 63
Brax's POV The muffled cry that sliced through the darkness shattered the stillness of the house. Panic gripped me as I slowly turned to the hallway, eyes wide, and breath caught in my throat. Standing in a doorway clutching a battered teddy bear was a young boy, no older than six. His eyes locked onto mine, filled with an innocent terror that cracked my hardened exterior. My heart sank into a pit of sorrow, matched only by the weight of the loaded Beretta in my hand. The boy's small frame trembled as he stared at the scene before him—the lifeless body of his father sprawled on the floor. Memories flooded back, unbidden and violent. A younger version of myself, staring at my uncle's lifeless form. The same crushing heartbreak and confusion in his eyes now mirrored my own then. My arms shook, the gun slipping from my grip as I lowered it to my side. I took an involuntary step forward, my voice barely a whisper. "I'm—I'm so sorry," I choked out, but words felt futile. From somewhere
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 64
Willow's POV I sat in Brax's room, my nerves fraying with every passing second. The air felt thick, suffused with the heavy silence that comes only when you're stuck in your thoughts. I clenched my hands together, my knuckles turning white as I stared at the doorway, praying that Brax would walk in and everything would be okay. But the more time that passed, the more my hope started to wane. Suddenly, I heard the front door swing open. My heart leapt in my chest. Finally, I thought, rushing to the doorway and peeking out. I saw Brax storming through the house, his footsteps echoing with each furious step. Kasey and Dillon entered shortly after, their expressions solemn. They exchanged a look that did nothing to alleviate my fears. "What happened?" I asked, rushing towards them. Dillon sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Willow. He won't tell me." I could see the pain etched into Dillon’s face, and that only deepened my concern. Without another word, I w
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 65
Brax's povMy hands moved over Willow's body, tracing the delicate contours of her back with a reverence I couldn't quite name. The water cascading over us was warm, but it did nothing to drown out the cool regret settling in my bones. The lifeless eyes of the man I had just killed—those memories clung to me like shadows, refusing to let go.Desperation guided my touch, as I needed this moment to anchor me to something real, something good. Kissing Willow allowed that guilt a brief exodus, but it would never fully vanish. Holding her now, under the soft, relentless stream of water, the weight of what I'd done seemed both lighter and heavier all at once.It wasn't ending a life that tormented me; it was the life I had taken, leaving a young boy fatherless. I remembered the first time I had to kill, barely able to comprehend the gravity of ending another person’s existence. Eight years old and robbed of innocence. My father stood over me, his eyes cold and expectations clearer than the
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 66
Willow’s POVThe early morning darkness still shrouded the room as I awoke, the world outside only hinting at the dawn to come. Brax lay beside me, his face softened by sleep, free from the burdens that typically etched his features. Last night, a surreal montage of emotions and sensations played in my mind. I had never imagined I'd willingly give myself to someone, not after everything that had been done to me by cruel men. But with Brax, it had been different—intoxicating, and it made me feel alive.Carefully, I slipped out of bed, not wanting to disturb him. I reached for one of his shirts, its fabric worn-in and comforting. As I buttoned it up, my gaze lingered on him once more: the vulnerable rise and fall of his chest, the steady rhythm of his breath. There was a depth of pain hidden beneath his strong exterior, a pain I recognised but didn’t dare ask about. Whatever he went through last night was something he would carry with him for the rest of his life and probably never talk
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 67
Willow's POV---The scratchy vinyl booth of the diner did little to calm my nerves. I stared intently at the chipped tabletop, tracing the grooves with jittery fingers as the seconds ticked by. The air was filled with the scent of greasy burgers and overcooked coffee, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. My heart hammered against my ribs as I thought about what I was about to do. This was my only chance, and I needed it to work.I had decided to abandon my Plan A. Using Brax's father to take down Steve was taking too long and felt increasingly dangerous. Too many things could go wrong, and too many lives could be caught in the crossfire. No, I couldn't allow that. So I reached out to someone from my past, my father's best friend, a cop named David. When my father had been killed, David had promised he'd always be there for me. I hadn't seen him in years, and the thought crossed my mind that he might have forgotten all about the promise he had made. That, or he might be
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 68
Brax's POV---I punched Willow’s number into my phone for what felt like the millionth time, but it went straight to voicemail. My frustration mounted with every unsuccessful attempt. Where could she be? My mind raced through the possibilities, each thought darkening with dread. She could be in trouble or, worse, dealing with one of her stepfather's schemes. I couldn't sit back and wait for her to return my call."Damn it, Willow," I muttered under my breath as I dialled one of my father's men, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. The call connected, and a gravely voice responded on the other end, a mix of curiosity and concern in his tone."Hey, have you seen Willow?" I asked without preamble, my voice urgent."No, boss. Haven't seen her tonight. Should I be on the lookout?" the man replied."Yes, spread the word. If anyone sees her, let me know immediately," I instructed before hanging up.With a clenched jaw and tightened fists, I made several more calls to my father's men,
Pathetically Beautiful Chapter 69
Brax's POVI pulled up to my father's mason. The car's grinding halt felt final, almost as if it heralded some impending doom. The silence between Willow and me was stifling, filling the space with unspoken worries and uncharted fears. I felt bad for the way I had spoken to her; I just couldn’t help it. All I want to do is protect her, and I can't do that if she doesn’t let me in. I wanted to break the silence, to comfort Willow. But just as I opened my mouth, my phone buzzed.Glancing down, I saw Kasey's name flashing on the screen. I hesitated for a moment before answering. “What?” I said, the irritation clear in my voice."Heeey man, there's a party tonight," Kasey said, his voice infused with excitement. "Nat told me to give you a call to see if you and Willow want to come. It's just a high school party, nothing too crazy."I glanced over at Willow, who was staring blankly out of the window. "I'll talk to Willow and let you know," I replied, hanging up before turning to her."Will
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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
