Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
36
BEL
I’m adrenaline and fear braided to a fine point, and I know once it wears off, I’ll be nothing but an exhausted mess. My hands tremble, and my brain reels with all the information revealed. Drew’s father, Lyle, is really Sebastian’s father, and my own mother was arranged to marry him? My father is a man who my mother fell in love with after he saved her life, but that’s disappeared off the face of the earth? I can’t wrap my head around it all. It feels like someone took my brain and put it in a blender. Even thinking about it now gives me a headache. Still, I wish I had my mother to ask these questions.
All the lies, hate, and pain. There’s so much darkness in this room.
I’ll never say Lyle didn’t deserve every bullet, but that doesn’t mean I don’t mourn the scar his death will leave on Drew’s and Sebastian’s souls. More than anything, I feel bad for Sebastian, for the loss he’s suffered, and now I worry about the impact it will have on him. He already carries the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Drew holds me in his arms, and we sit on the couch and wait for the car. The doctor already wheeled Victoria back to her room so she could rest. I know at some point Drew will need to discuss with his mom who his real parents are, but after everything that came out tonight, I don’t know that we could handle another reveal.
At least he’ll get the answers he’s been seeking, even if it won’t happen tonight.
“Our ride will be here soon. I figure we’re both a little shaken up, a ride is the safest bet,” Drew says.
All I do is nod.
I’m a ball of nerves right now, and I’m trying not to be bothered by Sebastian’s icy demeanor. He has a lot of shit going on. I couldn’t even fathom being in his head at the moment, but that didn’t mean I was willing to let him slip into the dark abyss.
I feel helpless, watching as he paces the room, his phone stuck to his ear. I don’t know who he’s talking to, but I can make assumptions based on recent events. A moment later, Sebastian ends the call and turns toward us.
I hate how tired he looks.
“Cleanup crew will be here soon.”
“Okay. I ordered a ride while you were on the phone. I’ll take her back to your place, and then I can come back here and help with anything.”
Sebastian shakes his head. “No. Go back to the house with her, and I’ll be there shortly. I don’t want her to be left alone.”
Even facing all that he has, his concern for my well being shines through the darkness the brightest. I’d planned to talk about the drugging and what happened once Drew and I had a moment alone together, but I didn't know if I wanted to leave Sebastian here by himself. I can only imagine how far off the rails this is all going to take him.
At some point we will need to discuss the new information revealed, but I think that can wait till another night. I might be upset with being left in the dark but I think Sebastian has had enough shit tossed on him today.
“Whatever you want. I just didn’t want to leave you to clean up this whole thing on your own.”
It makes me feel good to have them both on the same page, at least for now. I know it won’t stay that way forever but I was terrified for a little bit, that their friendship might end because of me.
“Are you okay?” I ask even while knowing he won’t give me an honest answer.
Sebastian’s been a pillar of strength for me from the beginning, supporting and encouraging me after losing my mom, our mom. It’s my turn to return the favor. To be the strength he needs.
“I don’t think you could handle my answer at the moment, so I’ll say yes, and we can discuss it later.” The steel of his voice vibrates through me.
“I’m just worried. I can’t lose you too.” I hate how vulnerable that admittance makes me but I need him to know that I can’t lose him. That I won’t survive if I do.
He gives me a smile, the one that he saves just for us, and some of the weight on my chest lifts by seeing that little bit of light shine in his eyes. “I’m not going anywhere, and nothing will happen to me. I promise. In a couple of days, we can discuss the findings from the PI. I’ll make sure I have some fast food on standby.”
“Don’t try to butter me up.” I playfully grin at him.
“I have to have at least one form of protection against you.”