"I wish I could have loved you too." She said back to him with a small sad smile.

Lana then noticed me. Her eyes went wide as she saw me standing there sheepishly. Brennan turned around to see what had her so shocked. His face remained passive as he offered me a small wave.

"Sorry." I quickly apologised before motioning behind with my hand "I can circle the block if you two want to keep talking."

"It is fine." She waved off the idea before skipping over in my direction and embracing me in a hug "Happy birthday."

"Happy halloween." I replied because I really did not feel like celebrating my birthday.

Brennan was quick to move and hug me too as he said "Happy birthday, Little Ella."

I pulled away and smiled up at him "Thank you."

He then looked around over my shoulder like he was looking for something. More accurately someone.

"Where is Stone?" Brennan asked with a frown.

There was no point in lying because he had obviously realised that if Stone was not at the Lewis' then he was with me.

"Sleeping." I answered vaguely.

The frown on Brennan's face deepened as he questioned "You left without telling him?"

"He was still sleeping." I tried to argue "Which is unusual because he is usually awake by the break of dawn."

Brennan scrubbed his hands over his face as he told me "That is because he has not slept in days. He is so worried about you."

"I know—"

"Ella, he is miserable without you." He stated before he explained "He trained all the time anyway but now it is terrifying how much he does. He broke his phone to stop from calling you. He has shattered a mirror with his fist and damaged his knuckles. He split open a punching bag. He has trashed his room and he destroys everything that comes into his path because he is miserable."

All I could do was look down and bite my trembling lip. I told myself that I was not going to cry again so I took a deep breath.

Lana was the one to speak up as she raised her voice at him "She is suffering too. She has just lost her dad and she does not need to think about this if she does not want to."

"I am sorry." Brennan sighed as his expression grew softer "It is just that you two are better together."

"I never wanted to hurt him. I still do not want to." I uttered.

He nodded but he sighed once once  "I know but you can not just up and leave. You can not just leave him wondering where you are. He can not take that."

Brennan's phone started ringing so he reached into his back pocket and pulled it out.