Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Bugger off, you twat.”
“Fine, fine. Live the daddy fantasy for both of us.”
“I’m not!”
She stands up, but before leaving, she cups her mouth with both hands and whispers, “Daddy.”
I throw a pen after her and her throaty laughter echoes down the hall.
Shaking my head, I focus back on the design I was working on. Something about it is bugging me, but I can’t put my finger on it.
My hand finds my watch and a sense of calm engulfs me. Alicia’s memory has always calmed me down and filled me with so much inspiration.
There’s a knock on the door, and I expect Layla to be back for more taunts, but then I recall she doesn’t knock. And neither do I.
We haven’t had any boundaries since we met at uni — aside from the past that I’m shielding her away from.
Jessica, my assistant, appears at the threshold. She’s petite with dark brown skin and huge, striking eyes. “Ms Harper, there’s someone here to see you.”
“I thought I didn’t have any appointments until this afternoon.”
“Yes, but he said it’s urgent. He’s a solicitor.”
“Let him in.” Could this be another one of Jonathan’s games?
Jessica disappears. Soon after, a middle-aged man with dark brown hair and pale hazel eyes appears at my door. I stand and take his hand as he offers a handshake.
“Aurora Harper. How may I help you?”
“Stephan Wayne. I’m Maxim Griffin’s solicitor.”
I retrieve my hand from his at supersonic speed, as if I’ve been hit by lightning. My breathing catches; it takes everything in me not to collapse or run and hide.
“How…how did you find me?”
“It wasn’t an easy thing to do, but blood speaks, Ms Griffin.”
“My name is Aurora Harper.”
“Why, yes.” His expression remains unchanged as he motions at the sofa. “Aren’t you going to offer me a seat?”
“Get out of my office. Now.”
“That’s very unfortunate, Ms Harper. I was hoping to get you on the witness stand for Mr Griffin’s parole hearing.”
This time, I stumble backwards. I nearly fall on the sofa but manage to hold myself up at the last minute. My legs shake so prominently, I can’t contain my stance or my emotions.
My worst nightmare rushes to the forefront of my mind, as if it’s been lurking right beneath the surface all along.
Vacant Eyes.
Blood.
Duct tape.
The look of absolute desolation.
No. Not again. No.
“He’s not eligible for parole.” My voice is barely audible.
“The judge changed his mind for exemplary behaviour.”
This can’t be true.
This is a nightmare.
My heart beats loud and fast. I’m that girl running in the forest, my breathing constricted, my lungs suffocating, my head about to snap from the pain.
He’s coming.
He’s there.
They are also there.
“Ms Harper.”
My head snaps up to meet the solicitor’s gaze.
“Are you sure you won’t change your mind? If you tell the judge you were young and confused —”
“I wasn’t young and confused. I saw a monster for who he is and acted on it. Now, leave my office and never return again.” My throat hurts from the force of my words. “You should be ashamed for defending a man like him. Those women could’ve been your daughter, your wife, your sister.”
Stephan’s expression doesn’t change as he reaches into his jacket and retrieves an envelope and a business card. When I don’t take them, he places them on the table. “Call me if you change your mind.”
As soon as he leaves, I drop onto the sofa, my hands and legs trembling, sweat running down my back and temples.
My heart aches and I feel like I’m about to combust.
I pull my knees to my chest as memories start trickling back in. The attacks. The slurs.
The assault.
No. Please no.
The envelope stares at me. I know who it’s from. I contemplate burning it, throwing it away, but the need to solve the puzzle strikes me again.
And this time, I can’t ignore it.
I open it with unsteady fingers. Plain white paper with his messy handwriting taunts me.
Remember Muse,
Next time we see each other, either I kill you or you kill me.
20
Aurora
I leave work early.
But I don’t go to Jonathan’s house.
In fact, for a second, I contemplate driving my car to someplace else.
I could go to Wales. Or Scotland.
If that’s still too close, I can go to another country. Pick a place on the map and fly over there.
I can start anew. If I’ve already had one rebirth, I can have another, right?
Only, I can’t leave H&H and Layla and everyone else behind.
I can’t abandon the dream I started with my own hands. I can’t keep running for the rest of my life.
When I walked out of the court hearing that day, I promised he’d never be the master of my life again.
He won’t control my every breath as if he has a right to. As if he owns my life just because he gave it to me.
Every time someone looks at me, I breathe wrong. I watch my surroundings as if expecting the eggs, the slurs, the assault.