Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 47525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
He wasn’t gone, and he hadn’t abandoned me.
He was speaking to me.
The message was buried across dozens of pages, tucked into the underlines and margins like a whispered vow:
O.L.I.F.
O.L.I.P.C.
Our Love Is Forever.
Our love is pretty cruel.
And I’ll do everything in my power to get you back into my arms, but you’ll have to keep playing your part because you’re the best actress I’ve ever met.
So regardless of how this goes, I’ll tell you exactly what to say to get the ‘insanity’ deal.
And if they’re stupid enough to convict you off that weak-ass circumstantial evidence?
I’ll hunt them down for you.
Just give me a chance. Hold on.
For us.
Your Cruel Love,
E.W.
37
SADIE
Day Fourteen
The prison transport van is coming to retrieve me in four hours, and—for the first time since arriving—the guards are letting me walk along the edge of the lake without surveillance.
(Well, with Dr. Weiss at my side.)
The water glimmers beneath the rising sun, and the air smells like pine and wet stone. It’s a sweet taste of Freedom.
My lawyers are saying that due to their work, we have a real shot with the appellate court now. That even if I get denied parole this month, I might still taste free air again. I juts have to be patient.
“Just give me a chance, and hold on…”
Ethan’s message echoes in my mind, carved deeper than the scars on my back.
“Are there really no cameras out here?” I ask him, casting a glance toward the trees.
“There aren’t,” he says, watching me carefully. “But I must say—you’ve played one hell of a role for them since you got here.”
“You weren’t too bad yourself.”
“Minus the temper tantrum, I’d give you a solid ten stars.”
“The medication was wearing off.”
“I know.” He slows, turning toward me. “Did I take too long to get everyone involved?”
“No,” I say softly. “But you missed two.”
“Who?”
“Guard Mountbatten,” I say. “I heard he’s been… missing.”
“He is missing.” His lips curl. “There won’t be much left of him by the time anyone thinks to go looking. Who else?”
“Robin,” I say. “Won’t she say something?”
He pauses, then smiles.
“Robin tragically passed away this morning on her way to work.”
My breath catches. “What?”
“She wasn’t feeling well after we left the Baylor estate,” he says, voice cool. “I drove her home, but something must’ve been wrong with her brakes when she got in her car this morning. Or maybe it was carbon monoxide… Hard to tell.”
“That sounds very unfortunate…” I say.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Because I’ve heard that’s what a psychopath would do, and my boyfriend diagnosed me as one.”
He laughs under his breath. “You are indeed a psychopath, Sadie.”
He grabs my wrist and pulls me flush against him, lips brushing mine with slow, deliberate hunger.
“My favorite psychopath,” he murmurs.“My beloved eagle…”
EPILOGUE
LATEST NEWS ON SADIE PRETTY
Sadie Pretty Denied Parole, But Temporarily Released Pending New Trial
After a recent ruling from the appellate court, Sadie Pretty has been granted a temporary release from prison while she awaits a new trial.
Although the state hasn’t confirmed when—or if—it plans to retry the case, the judge made it clear: Sadie won’t be stepping straight into freedom. Instead, she’ll begin the next chapter of her story at a private halfway house, one that promises close monitoring and even closer care.
She’ll be under supervised watch for at least eighteen months, per court order.
Dr. Ethan Weiss—controversial behavioral expert and founder of the Weiss Institute—has just opened a new transitional facility. And fittingly, Miss Pretty will be its very first resident.
—
THE END