Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
In the end, maybe it just wasn’t meant to be – some relationships never survive beyond their passionate beginnings and maybe ours is one of them. All I know is that while my heart breaks at the thought of leaving Troy behind, I cannot stay in this place where love is overshadowed by hurt and pain. It’s time for me to bid farewell and start anew on my journey of self-discovery and healing.
Dear Diary,
I don’t think Troy will kill me. He says he will. He reminds me that Godwins don’t divorce. He tells me I can’t leave.
I see obsession in his eyes mixed with pain all the time. I know he doesn’t want me to see how badly my need to be free of him and free of Olympus Manor hurts him, but I see it.
I thought of running away, but I don’t think that would be wise. It would only make him angrier, and I’m not sure what he is capable of. Still, it may be the only way I have left to protect myself from his wrath.
The days drag by like an eternity. I can feel Troy’s presence in every inch of this cursed place. He’s watching me, waiting for me to make a move so he can respond. I know his response won’t be kind.
And then it happened…
A loud commotion came from downstairs interrupting my constant dark thoughts. The staff were all shouting, and chaos was all around. I slowly crept down the stairs, my heart pounding against my chest. I could feel the fear in the air as I made my way to the front door. As I got closer, the smell of something burning filled my nostrils.
My stomach churned as I looked out the window. Everything outside was engulfed in flames, and in the center stood Troy, his face twisted with rage, as my car was surrounded in a ball of fire.
He did it. He proved that he won’t let me go, and I was too terrified to move. I could feel the heat from the fire emanating from the window and smell the scorched metal from my car. I knew that this was a sign of the things to come unless I found a way to escape.
He looked up, and our eyes met. I could see the burning hatred in his gaze before he turned away and disappeared into the night. I knew I should have listened to my instincts and ran away when I had the chance. Now it was too late.
I ran back upstairs and frantically started packing my belongings. I knew I had to leave and never look back. As I grabbed the last of my things, I heard Troy’s menacing voice coming from the foot of the stairs. He was screaming at me, telling me that if I did not come down and submit to him, he would burn this entire house down with us in it.
I took a deep breath to steady my nerves and prepare myself for one last battle. There was no escape from Troy, not anymore. I had to face him, and I had to win.
The children. Where were the children?
Jesus Christ. I knew there was a darkness about this family. Everyone who lives on Heathens Hollow knows the Godwins, though rich as fuck, have demons around them. Rumors and stories about this family are downright chilling. But reading this. Seeing this…
It makes it easy for me to get out of bed and put the journal back in its home. I don’t want to read about another fucked-up marriage. I had my own, my own nightmare from which I barely escaped.
I feel for Freya. I can relate to her, but Freya’s secrets died with her, and I need to let them remain that way.
The instant I’ve replaced the journal, I look around the room and rub the chill off my arms while trying to shake off the overwhelming sense that I’m not alone. Another loud thump sounds from upstairs in the attic, but I know no one is here. No one should be here…
A creak that follows sounds as if weight is being placed on the floorboards from above. Or at least I think that is what I hear.
Someone’s got to be in this house. I feel it. I hear it. I open the bedroom door and step into the hallway.
I need to see it.
Chapter
Four
Phoenix
Jesus Christ. She’s stretching. Doing yoga. What man could resist the urge to watch?
Soft, dark hair falls in waves down her back and shimmers in the light. I imagine wrapping my fist around it and holding her in place as I…
Fuck. No. I stop the thought before my cock can respond. That way lies destruction. For both of us, even if I want to be the one to give her… feelings. Feelings besides the kind that roil in your gut, churn, and burn until there is nothing left. I want her to hunger for me. Need me. Desire my touch to the point where she can’t go a day without my presence. I want to have the power over her just as her seductive vision in the screen has the power over me.