Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
I want to look my best, so Grace won’t worry about me. I’m even wearing socks that reach all the way to my knees to make sure the scars around my ankles don’t show.
My heart beats faster and faster, and as we begin to walk down a path, I tug on Santiago’s hand. “Wait!”
He stops immediately, and seeing the panic on my face, he moves in front of me. “Breathe, mi pequeño sol.” He gives my hand a squeeze. “I’m right here.”
I nod and try to calm my nerves.
When I blow the air slowly over my lips, he asks, “Ready?”
As ready as I’ll ever be.
“Yes.” We continue to walk, and I try to focus on the tropical scenery around me. I hear water, and when we cross over a wooden bridge, I look over the side at the stream below.
During the call, I saw a stream behind Grace.
My heart sets off at a crazy pace again, and as we come around a bend, a big building stands straight ahead, and to my left is a house. The architecture is Asian, blending seamlessly with the surrounding plants and trees.
“Ciara!” Grace shouts, and only then do I see her as she runs over a bridge that leads to the house. She’s wearing a long white dress that hangs loose on her body and sandals.
I pull my hand from Santiago’s and dart forward. Grace catches me, and I wrap my arms tightly around her neck as sobs burst from me.
She still smells the same.
I’m hit with a tidal wave of emotions. Some good, but also all the dark and vile ones. Everything that’s happened since I last saw Grace pours through me.
The chain.
The affectionate smile on Nolan’s face.
The crunching sound when he destroyed my phone.
My soul weeps as Grace presses kisses to my neck and shoulder.
“My God. Ciara,” she sobs. “I love you so much.”
I can’t get any words out and just cling to her.
She moves her hands to my shoulders and pushes me back, and when her eyes sweep over me, I lower my head and stare at the pretty pink nail polish on her toenails.
The love-crazed expression in Nolan’s eyes.
The belt.
His fists.
The next second, I’m yanked back into a hug, and she says, “I’m so sorry. I would’ve searched the ends of the world for you.” Her body jerks with sobs. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t just leave. I’m sorry.” I’m pushed back again, and her trembling hands frame my face. “God, Ciara.”
I struggle to focus on Grace, and when I see the questions and worry in her eyes, it has me pulling completely away from her.
‘Thank me, Ciara.’
I turn my face to the side, trying to rein in the dark emotions so she won’t see them.
‘You have me, and I’m the only person you need in your life.’
The hellish nightmare creeps out of the darkness it’s been hiding in, slowly filling my mind with awful memories.
‘You will do as I say, or I’ll punish you.’
Santiago wraps his arm around my shoulders, and instinctively, I press my face into his chest. “She’s just a little overwhelmed,” he explains. “Give her a moment to process everything.”
Just focus on Santiago.
I take deep breaths of him, needing the safety only he can give me.
I calm down enough to push the memories back into the dark void that the time spent with Nolan created, and when I feel in control of myself, I pull my face away from his chest and look at Grace.
Even though there are tear tracks on her cheeks, she smiles at me. “It’s so good to see you.”
I want to hug her again, but I’m scared I’ll spiral, so I remain glued to Santiago’s side as I say, “It’s good to see you, too.”
“Let’s go inside.” She gestures at the house. “I want to introduce you to Kristian.”
“Yes, let me finally see my godson,” Santiago chuckles.
Hearing Grace made him Kristian’s godfather really drives it home how much she trusts him.
I walk with Santiago, and when we enter the house, I glance around, taking in the serene decor. There are black couches in the living room and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook an outdoor area. I see the cream leather couch Grace was sitting on, and all the plants.
“I’ve prepared the guest room for you,” Grace says, drawing my attention to her.
I told Santiago I’ll see how things go before I make any big decisions, but as I stand in my sister's home, everything feels foreign.
Dominik comes out of another room with Kristian in his arms, and when his eyes land on me, they’re not hard like I remember. His tone is also much softer when he murmurs, “Hi, Ciara. It’s good to see you again.”
Every muscle in my body tenses, but I manage to whisper, “Hi.”
When he smiles at Santiago, I’m thrown for a loop because I’ve never seen him smile before. “Finally, you get to meet your godson.”