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Chapter fifty seven: Encounter

It was early morning and the leaves were beginning to crinkle and contort into multiple colours of orange and red hues, the weather now becoming more bitter as leaf piles covered the sidewalks.

I decided to go to the store whilst Ember and Evan spent some quality time together. We needed to get some food for the week so I drove to Walmart as the serenity of desolated people surrounded me. I loved to go to the store when it first opened as I never saw anyone.

I grabbed a basket and headed in, the bright lights burning through my sockets. My belly had doubled in size over a short duration of time and I was now over half way til their due date; now being twenty four weeks along.

Just as I was scouring the vast amount of groceries laid in-front of me I bumped into someone which threw me off guard. I quickly looked up to apologise but when I saw who it was I felt sick, anger and fear all at the same time.

"Don't act too surprised" she chuckled grimly which made me clench my jaw. "I got a reduced sentence for good behaviour and a tad amount of money bribery" Emma stated nonchalantly as she chewed a piece of gum stuck in her teeth. "It's been too long in that shit hole. Thanks to you both"

"Fuck you Emma. Seriously go fuck yourself and drink bleach" I spat harshly with venom coaxing my words to which she held her heart patronisingly.

"Is that the pregnancy hormones ? You poor thing. Maybe you should drink the bleach and do us all a fucking favour. Who needs another mentally fucked person in this world" she responded distastefully whilst gesturing to my belly.

I balled my hands into fists "how dare you speak about my unborn babies like that you cunt" I jeered with anger pumping through my veins; which made her bite her lip smugly.

"Oh no. You're kidding. Two mentally fucked babies on the way because of having you as their mother. Truly, I am so sorry" Emma said as she grabbed my face with a pout.

Swatting her hands off me I brushed past her, not wanting to speak anymore. My heart was beating erratically and I felt numbness overwhelm my skin, I was on the brink of a panic attack.

As I walked past Emma she grabbed my wrist forcefully "don't get too comfortable with your new life Maeve because now I'm out of jail I will absolutely do whatever needs to be done to rid you from this world whether it's from my own hand or yours" with that she walked away leaving me a panic ridden mess.

I cried inconsolably to myself as I held onto the wall, I was trying desperately to compose myself but it didn't seem to be working so instead I decided to drop my basket and get back into the jeep. This couldn't be happening right now.

Driving home with my breath heavy and lapsed I started to punch the steering wheel as hard as I could, I couldn't believe they would release her not even half way into her sentence. The system was fucked.

I peeled down the car mirror from the ceiling and wiped my puffy eyes and smiled falsely; I didn't want Ember to see me so upset and I didn't want Evan to worry about me even more than what he already did.

Strolling indoors I hung up my jacket and turned towards Evan who was sleepily making Ember breakfast, the bacon fat spitting upwards and messily bubbling onto the counter.

"Hey- where's the shopping?" He quizzed

"They didn't have much stock so I'll go tomorrow" I lied with the same false smile I was getting used to using, I was also becoming rather good at it.

Ember frowned "so that means no chocolate. Thanks mom"

Not wanting to deal with her right now I pinched her cheek lightly making her wince "don't be a cheeky sod otherwise I'll never get you chocolate again"

Ember was back in her chocolate phase and looked displeasingly towards the breakfast Evan was making due to the lack of chocolate elements. "Can you tell dad to least put some Nutella on my bacon?"

Feeling queasy I shook my head instantly "Ember that is gross and no- you're having a healthy breakfast for once" she grumbled and slouched into the kitchen stall.

I wrapped my arms around Evan's waist and rested my head on his shoulder "we need to talk later. It's quite serious"

Evan's sleepy state washed away as he stared at me blankly "what- what's happened ?"I shook my head and moved my eyes to Ember so he understood. "Not with her listening"

Evan nodded but I could tell he was nervous by how his body went rigid and eyes as big as saucers. He had to know that bitch was back, though this time she was not interested in small talk.

**

Ember was in bed so me and Evan could finally talk about what happened earlier today. His complexion was paled and I hated making him so worried; all day he had been a wreck and I felt incredibly guilty for that.

"So tell me what's going on" Evan breathed as he paced the living room "I-is it the babies ? What is it"

I shook my head and rubbed my belly intently "the babies are fine. But it's still something very serious. I don't want you getting angry about it as we need to keep quiet because of Ember"

Evan nodded lowly and crossed his arms, waiting for me to talk. "The reason I didn't get any groceries is because I bumped into Emma"

Evan froze, his whole demeanour changing from panic to pure and utter rage. His veins were popping from his arms as he balled up his fists. "You saw who?"

"Emma. I saw Emma" I reaffirmed with a lump in my throat "and Evan she said she will make it her mission to end my life. She told me to put myself and babies out their misery and.. I don't know what we are going to do"

Evan grabbed his hair into thick clusters "that bitch. I will fucking kill her" he half whispered due to Ember. "If she thinks for one second she is going to hurt this family she has another thing coming"

"Evan please calm down. We can't talk with you like this" I breathed shakily, my fingers picking the skin around my finger nails.

Evan nodded and sat next to me, pulling me into his chest and planting a kiss on my forehead "nothing is going to happen to you"