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)
“By the way, you do know there’s a possibility the glands could grow back with time, right?” Fuck me!
***
*Elena*
This is a lot to take in at once. I don’t know how to feel except disgusted. Not that at the situation, but at the people involved. I know Janie had made a comment on screen alluding to something like this, but since there was no follow-up and it was obvious that she was high off her ass, it never really went anywhere, and I’m ashamed to say I’ve been distracted by other things these last few days.
After hearing everything Ryder had to say about the situation, I excused myself to the bathroom to take a long, hot shower and clear my head. I wasn’t sure about the impromptu concert before, but now I can’t wait.
Now it was not about us and our rekindled relationship and more about what could happen to save kids. It’s a bit nerve-shattering as well to know that something like that could actually be taking place while we were on stage, so there was a lot to unpack.
I was proud of Ryder, though, and how far he had come as a person and how much he had grown. I’m also enraged at Mary and the others who used him in such a despicable way. But the worst is his ex. If I ever doubted that she was just using him for money and clout those doubts were long gone now.
There were times when I felt bad for her, especially after seeing her in that warehouse. As much as I resent her, the reality is that she was just a kid when she became infatuated. I’d like to say with him, but the way she acts, it seems like she was more infatuated with our relationship than anything else.
But there’s no way that she could’ve ever been truly in love with him. I would’ve known because I know how it feels to love him, and I could never, even when he hurt me the most, bring any kind of harm to him.
Now the fact that she was willing to use something like this to get back at him, to come between us, I no longer have any remorse about anything that happens to her going forward.
I have no idea where she is right now, and I don’t think I care. That reminds me of Rachel. I won’t say that I’ve written her off completely; I still plan to pay for her mother’s stay at the home where she’s been staying for the past few years. I don’t have it in me to make her suffer for something her daughter did.
Plus, Rachel wasn’t always like this. Sure, she may have been envious, maybe a little bit jealous of my success, but there were good times as well. I wouldn’t let her back into my life, though, obviously. Sydney would probably have me committed if I tried. But I’m not the kind of person who can just wash my hands of someone just because they turn out to be a horrible human being. If I could do that, then Ryder and I would never have our second chance.
*Ryder*
She’s been in there way too long. If I know my girl, she’d be stressing about this whole thing, which is something I wish I could spare her and went out of my way to do. I have Janie to thank for this shit now too.
I guess she’s trying to make herself relevant, though that message was about as unhinged a ramble as I’ve seen from her. That means she’s either high or going through withdrawals. I should know; I know the signs; I’ve been there enough in my time.
I won’t say I wish I could empathize because I don’t. That may make me sound like a piece of shit, but I can’t bring myself to care. I’m still so filled with rage it’s amazing that I can get through one day to the next.
The more time I spend with Elena, the more I realize what we’ve missed. We would probably have a kid, or two by now had our lives not been derailed by that lunatic. Just that alone is enough to make me hate her until death.
At least her latest stunt had achieved one thing in my favor. I was afraid that because of her soft heart, Elena might feel some level of pity for her, but from the way she looked when she stomped off to the bathroom just now, that was pretty much dead. Huh! Maybe I can help her with some of that pent-up anger.
I rolled off the bed and lost my pajama bottoms on my way to shower. She yelped when I stepped in behind her and wrapped my arms around her middle. “Ryder, what are you doing?”