Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
I’m torn between retreating to the couch and staying here with her. I don’t know which would freak her out more—waking up alone or with me in bed with her.
I waffle back and forth before finally deciding to stay. She needs me, said she feels safe with me.
Sleeping in jeans sounds terrible, but she whimpers when I try to wiggle out from under her, further cementing my plan to sleep in here with her.
“Stay,” she murmurs, clutching at my shirt.
“I’m not leaving you,” I whisper back, gently prying her fingers open. “Never leaving you.”
I shuck off my jeans and pull on a pair of sweats before climbing back into the bed, tugging the comforter up and over both of us.
It’s way too early to go to bed, but Nora’s exhausted, so I settle in for the night, content to hold her until sleep claims me, too.
DIARY ENTRY, PRESENT DAY
Dear Diary,
For almost two whole weeks, my personal monster wasn’t at the forefront of my mind.
For almost two whole weeks, my life felt normal.
For almost two whole weeks, I felt safe.
And then, with one measly news bulletin, it all came crashing down around me.
The safety I’ve been clinging to is nothing more than an illusion, because as long as Rand Wallace is out there, he’s a threat.
Before that stupid report, I was looking forward to telling you all about my day out with Atlas, but now, here I am acting like the same scared girl I was two weeks ago.
God, has it really only been two weeks? Somehow it feels like a lifetime since I made a run for it. Maybe that’s because of how at peace Atlas makes me feel.
Any time I’m around him, I just feel this overwhelming sense of calm—like no matter what happens, I’ll be okay.
I’m sure it seems fast, and maybe a little crazy, but I really do love him, Diary. He’s a good man, with a good heart. He’s the complete opposite of his father.
I want so badly to give in to my feelings for him, but at the same time, I’m scared. He’s my stepbrother and the son of my abuser! We don’t make sense together on paper, but in my heart, I know he’s it for me.
Almost everything in my brain is all mixed up… except my feelings for him. My love for him is almost like my very own North Star, guiding me back to the present when my thoughts stray too far into my past.
I’m so, so angry. That’s what I am. I’m furious. The last two weeks here with Atlas have been the best two weeks of my life, and I refuse to let anything take that away from me.
So (excuse my language, Diary) fuck Randall Wallace. He doesn’t get to control me any longer. He doesn’t get to make me cower in fear.
I’m free of him, and I’m going to live like it.
Determined, Nora
CHAPTER 25
ATLAS
Rolling over, I reach for Nora, intent on getting in some early morning cuddles, but my fingers only find cold sheets.
I bolt upright, frantically patting the sheets as if she’s hiding under them. “Nora?”
“Atlas…”
I snap my eyes toward the sound of her voice, relief instantly filling me when I find her sitting at my desk, clutching her diary to her chest.
“Fuck, Pip.” I spear my fingers through my hair, making it stand on end. “You weren’t in the bed and I just… panicked.”
“I’m here.” She places her diary down on the desk and joins me in the bed. “I’m okay.”
As soon as she’s within reach, I tug her body into mine so that she’s basically sprawled out on top of me with my arms wrapped snugly around her waist.
“Are you?” I keep my tone light, not wanting to upset her after how last night ended.
She nods, rubbing her cheek against my chest. “I am.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Sighing, she rolls off me and into an upright position. “There’s not much to talk about.”
I heft myself up, resting my back against the headboard. “I think there is, but only if you’re comfortable with it.”
She twines our fingers together before continuing. “I’ve spent enough time letting him control me. I’m done with that. I knew he was still out there, but hearing the news talk about him made it real, if that makes sense. But I refuse to live my life in fear of him. He’s a monster, and I have to believe he’ll get what he deserves.”
I study her a moment before responding. Her face is open and honest. She truly means what she’s saying. “Okay then.”
“Okay?” Her brows dip as she scrunches her nose. “Just like that?”
The confused look on her face is too damn cute. “Yeah, just like that. I trust you, Nora, so if you say you’re good, then I’m inclined to believe you.”