Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 143870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 480(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 480(@300wpm)
Romeo nods, and I consider one other potential lead before I go.
“She has a music box from her mother.”
“Send me some pictures.” He shrugs. “I’ll see what I can find.”
28
CHANTEL
“Are you doing okay?” Abella studies me, concern etched into her features.
“I’m fine,” I insist. “Just a little tired.”
It’s a lie, of course, but what else am I going to say? I don’t want my friends worrying about me, so I gave them the condensed version of what happened. But it isn’t just the fire or the stalker weighing heavy on my mind.
All day, I haven’t been able to erase the memory of Cristian’s face when I asked him if he planned this.
It was an impulsive response in a moment of panic, and now I’m consumed by guilt. He’s done so much for me, and deep down, I want to believe I can trust him.
Still, there’s an uncertainty I can’t escape.
He made it clear how he feels about the Greeks. When I’m near him, it’s easy to forget that. But reality doesn’t change just because I have convenient memory loss.
This should be the wake-up call I needed. Except every time I glance at his empty seat, an undeniable ache settles in my chest.
It changes nothing, though.
While I know Cristian would never physically harm me, there’s no telling how his family will feel. It would only make sense for them to question my motives and assume the worst.
I can already see it in Angelo’s eyes. Now that Cristian’s involved in my life, his brother’s suspicions of me have never been higher. And as I look around this table, it’s abundantly clear how much I have to lose.
Pain is inevitable. I learned that long ago. But I’m not sure my fragile heart would ever recover from Cristian’s rejection. Because as much as I’ve tried to deny it, I’m already in too deep.
My only options are to leave while I still can, or stay until he discovers the truth—and it shatters me completely.
“You want to watch a movie?” Abella asks.
“Can we raincheck?” I offer her a half-hearted smile. “I think I just need to go to bed.”
“Of course.” She waves it off. “Go get some rest.”
I say goodnight to everyone at the table and venture back to Cristian’s wing.
For a few minutes, all I can do is stare at his bed.
I want nothing more than to crawl in there and feel his arms around me again. But if I’m going to survive this, I have to create space.
With heavy limbs, I collect some of my clothes and toiletries and carry them down the hall. Naturally, that’s the moment he arrives home, and we come to an awkward standoff.
He looks tired, and the distance in his eyes makes me feel like I’ve already lost him.
I hate it.
I hate everything about this situation.
“I’m going to sleep in here,” I say softly, gesturing at the guest bedroom.
He nods, and we linger in uncomfortable silence until I force myself to break it.
“Goodnight.” I swallow, hoping he can’t hear the torment in my voice.
“Goodnight, Chantel.”
The next few days continue in a similar fashion. Cristian gets up, goes to work, and we barely speak. I see him at the dinner table, but the tension is palpable, and I’m sure everyone notices.
I spend my time keeping up my conditioning routine and visiting with the girls, though I’m not very present.
I’ve thought about leaving at least a dozen times, yet something holds me back.
Realistically, all I’d need to do to escape is make it to the other side of the island. Ares could get me out. But even considering it feels like a betrayal to Cristian, because I know that would wound him the most.
There’s no question the Vitales are digging into my past. And while Ares assured me I’d be untraceable, I’m not certain I should bet my life on it.
The Aegis network is a viable option, but that would put Mariella in a terrible position. I don’t want her to choose between me and her brother.
By Sunday, I’m still no closer to a solution. And while Cristian’s home for the weekend, it’s much harder to avoid each other. We eat breakfast and dinner with the family, stealing glances, but never speaking.
I miss hearing his voice, and admittedly, I’m getting a little desperate to satiate that craving.
Searching for an excuse, I stop by his room before I go to bed.
I find him at the window, staring up at the night sky. He meets my gaze in the reflection, and I hold it until he finally breaks the silence.
“The moon’s almost full tonight.”
“Oh?” I swallow.
“Do you want to see it?”
I nod, and he gestures me over to the telescope as he opens the French doors.
“Here.” He guides me in front of him, the warmth of his body so close it penetrates my back.