Total pages in book: 196
Estimated words: 180438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 902(@200wpm)___ 722(@250wpm)___ 601(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 180438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 902(@200wpm)___ 722(@250wpm)___ 601(@300wpm)
But I knew that the words that were supposedly from Ryder were the worst. The hate behind each post I’d made had been hard to miss, especially the ones decrying her talent. I’d had a lot of fun with those. I never got too personal because even at his worst, Ryder never said anything derogatory about their private life together, but that hadn’t stopped me from hinting at things that were bound to make her think he was the one saying them.
So there’s no way that the picture on my phone could be real. “I promise you; it’s very real and in real-time. Did you take a good look? Doesn’t he look like the new Ryder? His hair is well-kept, there are no bags under his eyes, and he has a cute little mustache that he didn’t have before. He got all cleaned up for her; I can’t say the same about when he was with you. Anyway, that picture is about to hit the net, so I just thought I’d give you a heads-up.”
She hung up, leaving me shaking with rage and a nasty feeling in my gut. The world cannot see that image of Ryder and Elena together, looking so happy. I made myself look one more time just to be sure that it was real because, for some reason, I believed the little bitch and didn’t think she would lie to me.
Isn’t it odd? I’d come to trust my enemy’s word more than the people I had surrounded myself with. They’d all told me that everything would be fine. That I’d have everything I ever wanted in this life, and Ryder would never leave my side. I’d done everything they’d asked of me, even going so far as to rip him off in order to help my mom and dad, but where were they now?
I looked at the screen, holding my breath to try to keep the nausea down. They were standing at a window looking out at the night. He was behind her, his arms wrapped lovingly around her middle, smiling over her shoulder while she rested her head back on one of his. They looked the way they used to, only better.
My hands started to shake, and I had to sit down, no longer worried about what might be crawling around on the mattress. I won’t let them get away with this. No matter what, I will not live in a world where those two are happy together. I’ll never let that happen.
Chapter 69
*Elena*
He’s up to something or hiding something from me more to the point. It’s amazing how easily I’d slipped back into the relationship norms. It wasn’t exactly like before, but there are some things that cannot be changed when you know a person almost as well as you know yourself.
The changes I see in Ryder are amazing, no doubt, but there’s no mistaking what I feel. Because he’s been trying so hard, I’m trying my best not to go off the rails and start suspecting him right off the bat, but something is most definitely off.
Our weekend came to an end almost too soon, and before I knew it, he was heading back to L.A., and I was due on set in a few hours. Our time together had been way too short, and though we’d spent most of it shut away in our room, we did get the chance to spend some time with our hosts and their amazing triplets.
I’m still in amazement that two very young people were so well put together. When Ryder and I were their age, we were still acting like morons, still fighting and breaking up every other day over dumb shit. And here was Gabriel and Gianna Russo, already married with kids and so respectful and loving with each other that I couldn’t help but compare.
Watching those two together made me wish for things and also showcased how much time Ryder and I had lost and wasted. But watching those adorable little tykes with their parents unleashed a longing in me that I didn’t know was still there.
I watched Ryder’s eyes each time one of the kids came into the room, the way he looked at them, the way he melted, especially when little Gabriella followed him around, talking a mile a minute.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so patient with anyone. Each time I remembered that I could never give him this, though, I felt a bit sad, and the fear and guilt that followed that thought had me second-guessing myself and the strength of our union.
He always seemed as if he knew every time the thought crossed my mind because it was then that he would turn to me with a smile, take my hand if he wasn’t already holding it, and bring it to his lips.