Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Is this a nightmare?
The person walks back over to me and kicks me hard in the stomach, intense pain radiates through me but I’m paralyzed, unable to react.
No…. No…. I can’t open my eyes and sound begins to fade.
Pain…darkness….
Nothing.
EDWARD
Pacing back and forth, I throw down another glass of scotch. I keep going over and over tonight in my head.
I see the pain in Alora’s hurt face and I close my eyes in regret. She didn’t deserve that.
Fuck.
I drag my hand through my hair, why didn’t I just tell Alora that she came here?
To be honest it wasn’t even a conscious decision, after she left I didn’t think about it again. We had such a hectic week without a moment to spare. Alora and I met with an architect and were excited and talking about our new house and then Alora was obsessed with wedding crap and she was talking about that every night. I was preoccupied with work stuff too.
Isadora never entered my mind.
Not once.
I link my fingers on top of my head as I continue to pace. I can’t stand not being with her.
I feel like I’m about to lose my fucking mind here.
With a shaky hand I pour another glass of scotch and take a large gulp. I slosh it around in my mouth and feel it burn all the way down.
Calm down.
I continue to pace back and forth like a caged animal.
Alora’s alone.
It’s not safe…I’m going over there…. Her parting words come back to haunt me. “We have no future if you can’t respect my boundaries. I am not a prisoner here. I am allowed to think for myself.”
Fuck….
If I go over there and force entry into her house…I’m going to fuck this whole relationship if I’m not careful.
I’ve already fucked it.
Just call her and say good night. With my heart in my throat I dial her number.
Hello, you’ve reached Alora Sorenson. I’m sorry, I can’t take your call right now.
Leave a message and I’ll call you back as soon as I can. Have a nice day.
“Doe,” I say softly. “I just wanted to see that you got home safe and to say good night.” I hold on the line as I try to articulate my thoughts. “I promise you on my life…. It isn’t how it looked. I love you, I would never jeopardize what we have.” I keep pacing. “Even now I can’t hang up the phone. I can’t stand the thought of even one night apart,” I murmur.
Fuck…. I’m pathetic.
“Can you call me back, please?” I ask. “I need to know you’re okay.” I hold on the line again, willing her to pick up. “Speak soon, I love you.” I hang up and let out a deep exhale.
What if she ends it over this?
She wouldn’t…would she? My anxiety picks up again and I call Philippe.
“Hey.”
“Did you get home safe?” I ask him.
“Yes.”
“Where is she?”
“She went inside about half an hour ago.”
“Is she in bed?”
“Her upstairs bedroom light is on now, so I’m assuming she’s in the shower or getting ready for bed.”
That’s why she didn’t answer my call.
“Okay.”
Hopefully she’ll call me back when she gets out of the shower.
“Keep your eyes and ears peeled.”
“Of course, boss, there’s nothing going on here, it’s dead quiet.”
“Okay.” I think for a moment. “Did she say anything on the way home?”
“No, she kept to herself. Cried a little.”
My stomach twists.
“Boss….” He cuts himself off mid-sentence.
“What is it?”
“May I speak out of turn?”
“Of course.”
“Do you not think it’s odd that Isadora turns up with a TMZ crew trailing her?”
Hmm….
I was so distracted by Alora being angry I didn’t put the pieces together.
Of course.
My eyes flicker red and my grip tightens around my phone.
“Isadora set me up.”
“That would be my guess, sir.”
I feel adrenaline surge through my bloodstream. “Thank you, Philippe.” I hang up and throw the phone hard at the wall.
“That fucking woman,” I growl.
She told me I would pay…. And here I am paying.
I down my glass of scotch as fury heats my blood. “You’re messing with the wrong man, Isadora. Your time will come.”
AN HOUR LATER.
I can’t stand this, I can’t relax until I know she’s okay. She’s probably crying right at this minute over me. I call her again.
Hello, you’ve reached Alora Sorenson. I’m sorry, I can’t take your call right now.
Leave a message and I’ll call you back as soon as I can. Have a nice day.
Ugh…her phone is still switched off. She really doesn’t want to talk to me at all.
I hang up and call Philippe.
“Hey, boss.”
“What’s happening?” I ask.
“All lights are off, she’s asleep.”
“Can you walk around the house and do a perimeter check please?”
“Now?”
“Now. I’ll wait on the phone while you do.”
“Okay.”
I wait on and listen to him walk around the house. “Check every window is locked.”
“Of course.” I hear the side gate open and then his footsteps on the pebbles. “I’m in the backyard now.”