Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 41105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 206(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 206(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
“Thank you for your honesty.” He steps over the rope and readjusts it before returning to me. “Mr. Rochester would’ve noticed that for sure…”
“He comes down here?”
He blinks a few times, and I brace for more vagueness and a “get the fuck out,” but he lets out a sigh instead.
“Mr. Rochester comes down here quite often,” he says. “It’s one of few places that he considers a private refuge.”
“What really happened to his family?” I press.
“They perished.” He nods toward the picture. “Obviously.”
I hold back a sigh and nod; I’ll accept what he gave.
“Miss Jane?” Gunnar looks at me.
“Yes?”
“Get the fuck out.”
Days later, I’m tuning one of Adeline’s violins in the hallway, all while watching Ryder’s men roll crate after crate down the hall.
He’s still not back home…
Before I test out the strings, my phone sounds with a video call request.
Kylie.
Setting down the violin, I immediately rush down the hall, searching for a room without any decor, a place where she won’t be able to get curious about my location.
Slipping into an old staff bathroom, I shut the door before answering.
“Hey there, stranger.” She smiles at me from inside her car. “How are you feeling today?”
“Better.”
“Good, good. Sorry our call got cut off last time. Service out here is pretty shitty.”
“No worries. I um—” I pause. “Things have changed since we last spoke, so everything is better now.”
“Well, then that’s great! What did he say when you broke up with him?”
Huh? “I didn’t break up with him… I just—I’m starting to understand him and his ways a bit better now.”
“His ways?” She tilts her head. “Has he finally told you everything he really does or something?”
“No,” I say. “I don’t want to know the details.”
“Then what’s changed?”
“He’s taking me to a masquerade ball next weekend,” I say. “The dress I ordered is amazing.”
“I see… Did he pay for it?”
“Of course he did. I mean, yes, he did.”
“Did he buy you some shoes, too?”
“Yeah, they’re Christian Louboutin.” I smile. “They have a bow on the back. And the necklace is a custom piece.”
“So, it’s the money? That’s why you’re staying with him?”
“Nate had money, Kylie.” I don’t like her tone. “I would never stay with a man because of his bank account.”
“Then help me fucking understand.” Her voice is terse. “You’re going from a single red flag to diving into a sea full of them, and you think I’m going to keep my mouth shut about it?”
“Okay, Kylie. Look.”
“No, you look.” She glares at me. “He’s a murderer, Autumn. He’s killed people, and once you’re not of value to him, when he gets tired of fucking you—and your goddamn mind—he’ll get rid of you, too.”
“I don’t—”
“Whatever you have with him is not real, Autumn,” she says. “Outside of money, what does he do for you emotionally? Does he even have emotions?”
I say nothing.
“Where do you honestly see this going?” Her skin is beet red. “You’re not going to be riding off into the sunset with him. Either he’ll die, you’ll die, or best case, he’ll end up in prison and you’ll end up barely clinging to life support until you finally give way.”
“You know what,” I say, my chest on fire, “I don’t think—”
“You’re not thinking at all.” She interrupts. “But that’s okay. I’ll do it for you.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means, I’m done talking to you forever this time,” she says. “I’ll see you again at your funeral.”
End of Episode 19.1
Sweet Chaos
EPISODE 19.2
Ryder
The gate swings open, welcoming me home to a beautiful sight I wish I could hold onto longer.
My sweet Adeline…
Donning a light purple dress, she’s standing on the front steps of the estate, waving and smiling as I pull past the fountain.
I step out and she runs to my arms like always, like this might be the last time before we have to say goodbye for a while again.
“Miss Foglienne didn’t have to reprimand me while you were gone at all,” she says. “And Miss Jane says I’m the most well-behaved seven-year-old she’s ever seen.”
“That’s good to know.” I smile. You’re still going back to London…
“Are we staying up until midnight until you turn eight?” I ask. “I don’t want to miss that.”
Her eyes widen and she gasps, as if she’s nearly forgotten her own birthday.
“Is there still time for Chef to make me a custom cake?”
“Ten steps ahead of you.” I kiss her forehead. “He started working on it last week, and I think you’ll love the design.”
“Do I have any presents waiting for me at midnight?”
“Always.”
“What about a new dress to wear tomorrow?” She beams. “For the pictures.”
“I sent them with Miss Jane’s masquerade ball options,” I say. “Did they not come in?”
“We must’ve overlooked them.” She hugs me tightly before rushing inside the house.
Walking inside, I loosen my tie and see Autumn standing near the main room with her arms crossed.