*Shelby*“I hope you packed for the snow,” Michael said as he pulled me into a hug.Lucille followed down the stairs behind me, pulling her fur wrap tight around her shoulders.“I can’t believe we actually get to spend Christmas here again,” Lucille said, smiling wide. Michael gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and held the door for us to get into the back of the car waiting there for us. He slid in after us and closed the door, cutting off the cold wind from turning the tips of our noses pink.The snow was so cold, it crackled under the tires as we pulled down a long driveway lined on each side by pine trees. We turned the corner, and a massive mansion built to resemble a log cabin sat nestled in between the snow-laden trees. Snow covered the roof, and each window was illuminated with warm glowing light, inviting us all to come inside. “Oh, good. It looks like Bruce already arrived and lit all of the fires for us. The cabin hasn’t been used in a while,

*Shelby*“The tree looks incredible,” I said, taking a step back to admire our work.Michael’s grandmother’s ornaments consisted of whites and icy blues which contrasted with the dark green pine needles.“Just wait until we light it,” Michael said, rushing over to the outlet and plugging in the strand of lights.His face lit up as bright as the tree. He looked just like a kid witnessing the magic of it all for the first time. It made my heart swell, and I forgot all about the story Lucille told me, at least for a moment.“We forgot to add the star on top,” Lucille said, handing the silver star to Michael.He climbed up the step ladder and placed it gently on the top of the tree.“It feels just like when we were kids,” Lucille said with a warm smile. She settled herself back in the oxblood leather armchair.I sat down on the leather sofa that was cuddled up next to the front window. I left the spot next to me open so Michael could join me. As he s

*Michael*Unknown caller reads across my phone screen, and my heart stops. I reluctantly pull myself off the couch and away from Shelby. She stared up at me, worry lines appearing on her forehead.“I have to take this,” I mumbled as I retreated toward the kitchen.“Hello? Who is this?” I answered the phone call, doing my best to keep my voice down so Shelby wouldn’t hear.A scratchy voice sounded on the other end of the line, and static assaulted my ear. I quickly pulled the phone away until the static settled. I had to listen closely to make out what the voice was saying through the static.“You are going to… get what is coming to you….and she will too.”At the last word, the call dropped abruptly. Goosebumps rose on the back of my neck, and I scanned the windows but couldn’t make out anything in the blackness. I stood frozen in the kitchen, unsure of what to do next. Could Blaine possibly have found out we were staying here? Was there something I m

*Michael*The cabin felt incredibly quiet after watching Shelby drive away. I couldn’t get the image out of my head of Shelby staring at me; clear hurt etched into all of her features. I hated myself for the pain I caused her, but deep down, I knew it was the only way to keep her safe.I tried to fill the last two hours with anything to distract myself from the pain of sending her away, but nothing was helping. I tried to finish the movie we started, but I was only able to focus on the lead actress's eyes and how they looked so much like Shelby’s. I ended up pacing the kitchen with a glass of whiskey held tightly in my fist.Maybe once I made sure Blaine was behind bars for good, I could reach out to Shelby and explain everything. I didn’t know if she would even want to see me then, or ever again for that matter. I wouldn’t blame her after my whole speech about how she would be better off without me. It stung me to realize that she really would be better off if she had n

*Michael* I walked out of Shelby's hospital room feeling shattered. I don't know what I expected. She had every right to yell at me and wish I wasn't there. I was the reason she was there in the first place. I made my way back down to the waiting room where Bruce was sitting, but he was no longer alone; a police officer in full uniform was waiting for me to return.“You must be Mr. Michael Astor,” the officer said, rising from his seat.“That’s right. What can I help you with, sir?” I asked, glancing down at Bruce. His face gave nothing away.“I need to speak to Miss Hatton first, but I would ask that you two remain in the hospital until I return. I may need to bring you in for questioning,” the officer said.“Why do we need to be questioned in regards to a car accident?” Bruce asked. “We’ve been searching all night to find where these two were; we even made calls to the police trying to get accident reports. No one seemed able to talk to us then.”“Initi