Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
The truth is a much harder pill to swallow. Gareth hurt me and took something from me. Sex was something I wanted when I found someone I had chemistry with—someone I loved. I’d waited for that. In fact, I’d even toyed with the idea of giving that part of myself to Caius.
Gareth never gave me the chance.
He’s dead, though. And it’s been confirmed. Caius texted me earlier to inform me the police located Gareth’s body. They think he fell, broke his neck, and then slid into the water. He didn’t suffer, they’d said. We can at least find comfort in that.
A part of me wishes he’d suffered.
Caius quickly snapping his neck was a gift he didn’t deserve.
Tears threaten again and I have a sudden burst of anger. I’m tired of obsessing over Gareth.
My phone pings, giving me a much-needed distraction. I lean over, retrieve it, and discover a text from Theo.
Theo: He’s being cremated. Dad doesn’t want to have a service for him. I think he wants to pretend he’s just away on a trip. Not sure he’s come to terms with his death yet.
Theo doesn’t know what really happened. That Gareth hurt me and Caius saved me. Or how Caius covered up Gareth’s true manner of death. Because of what Caius did, I feel a sense of loyalty to him. He’s been doing his best to brainwash me into believing the same story he told his brother and father. I remember the truth, but his secret is safe with me.
Me: I’m sorry.
Not sorry Gareth is no longer a threat, but I do feel badly for Theo.
Theo: I just worry about Dad and Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn.
My chest aches at the thought of the little girl playing with her dolls in his cabin. Now she’s all alone. With her nanny.
A spike of adrenaline courses through me, making me feel more alive than I have since before I met the Crowne family.
Me: Are you with her? Is she okay?
Theo: Yeah. Been hanging out in his cabin. I told her he died and she shrugged. Probably need to get her counseling or something.
Bile creeps up my throat. I need to eat something, shower, move. I’m in this stupid haze and I want out of its clutches.
Me: Bring her here. I can play with her. We can do puzzles. Please.
Theo: We have a nanny for all that.
Me: Give her a break. Please, Theo. Let me help. You need a break.
Theo: Okay, sure. We’ll get ready and head that way.
I toss my phone down and race through showering and dressing. I’m just stuffing my face with a bowl of cereal when Theo and Kaitlyn show up. They’re both bundled up, dusted in snow. Kaitlyn holds a small pink backpack in her grip, standing close to her uncle. I’m thankful to see it’s just the two of them.
Theo doesn’t remove his coat. When our eyes lock, his features fall. The heartache on his face is a punch to my gut. I rush over to him and hug him tightly. He sniffles, squeezing me to him. The breath is sucked from my lungs. Just when I think I might struggle to breathe, he releases me. I don’t miss the way he quickly swipes away a rogue tear.
His brother is dead.
Because of me.
Shame and guilt have me tearing my gaze from Theo, instead fixating on Kaitlyn. She stares at me, scowling. Apprehension shines in her gaze. I make her nervous. Understandably so.
“I’m Romy,” I say to her, offering my hand. “You must be Kaitlyn. So nice to meet you.”
Kaitlyn inspects my hand, studying my fingernails intently. I grimace, knowing exactly how she feels. Once she realizes I have short, unpainted nails, she gingerly takes my hand to shake it. I quickly let her go, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable.
“Is Uncle Caius here?” she asks, casting her gaze past me.
“No, he’s, uh, working,” I say, though I’m not sure if he is or not.
“He’ll be back later,” Theo assures her, ruffling her blond hair. “You can play dominoes with him then.”
This answer satisfies her and she relaxes, though she still keeps me within view.
“I’m going to head back to the lodge,” Theo tells me. “If you get tired of babysitting, let me know and I’ll send the nanny over.”
“No,” me and Kaitlyn both say at once.
Theo frowns but nods. “Okay. See you soon, babe.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek near my mouth. Another wave of guilt washes over me. This time, I feel as though I’ve just cheated on Caius, which is ridiculous because we’re not really a couple.
But he saved you…
Theo leaves without another word and I’m alone with the young girl. We stare at each other in silence.
I have questions screaming at me, all of which I want answers to, but I ignore them all.
“You have dolls?” I ask, pointing at her bag. “Can I see them?”