Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22327 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22327 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
If I want to sneak out, right now is the prime time. Salvador left not long ago, so he won’t be back right away. I hurry into the closet to change into a pair of stretchy black pants and grab a sweater with a raccoon on it wearing sunglasses. It must be something I got before the accident because there are still tags on it.
My clothes are odd. More than a few items still have tags on them, but not all. Then there are random clothes that appear well used and stand in stark contrast to the others. All I can think is that they must have been from before I married Salvador.
Absentmindedly, I spin the ring on my finger. I catch myself doing it a lot, but it’s kind of soothing in a way.
I grab a pair of thick socks and finish getting myself together. As I do, I wonder how long it will take my husband to know I've slipped out. Will he track me down? The possibilities are too exciting to resist.
Going to the door, I get excited when I turn the knob and it opens. I notice that there are locks on both sides, which seems odd, but what do I know? It might have something to do with how big the place is.
Stepping into the hallway, I'm transported to another world. The corridor is wide with fancy, expensive-looking carpet that runs down the center. There are giant paintings on the walls and tables placed in front of big windows with flower arrangements on them. I guess in a home like this, hallways have windows.
I run my fingers along one of the tables before touching a vase full of flowers. I shouldn’t be surprised they're real with how perfect they are. Leaning in, I inhale their fresh scent and then look out the window.
The view from here is still the same from our living area with rolling hills and trees in the distance. This place really is in a league of its own. One that I find hard to believe I'm a part of.
Importing and exporting must pay really well. I wonder how I crossed paths with Salvador the first time we met. I've peppered him with lots of questions, but that hadn't been one. I mentally add it to my growing list of questions that he loves to distract me from.
When I pass the first door, I pause and poke my head in. It’s a bedroom without any special touches, so I’m guessing it’s a spare room. I keep walking, and every time I find another door, it’s pretty much the same. It’s not until I come to the end of the corridor that I see a double staircase. Yes, two. They go to the same place but split so that one set goes down one wall and one goes down the other. They curve around and lead to a massive marble floor below, but I pause before deciding where to go.
I realize I’m standing at a literal four-way stop. I can go back the way I came, go down the stairs, continue straight ahead, or turn left down another hallway. After a second to think it over, I decide to take the stairs. I’m not sure if there are others that have a residence in the extra wings of the estate.
As I'm going down, a woman in a black uniform with a white apron hurries by. When she spots me, she quickly averts her eyes. I can’t help but wonder if she’s trying to avoid me. Am I mean to the staff? No, I am the staff. Oh, shit. Where did that thought come from? I am the staff? Maybe I worked in other places as a maid? That feels right, but I can't explain why. If I try too hard to follow the thought, it gives me a headache, so I don’t push myself to continue thinking about it.
I watch the woman walk downstairs and decide to follow her. She makes a couple of turns before entering a massive kitchen, and then I lose sight of her. How is that possible? I guess it’s not hard to disappear in a house this size.
“Mrs. Roven,” an older, lanky man says as he comes into the kitchen from another direction. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
Oh shit, he’s talking to me. That’s right, I’m Mrs. Roven.
“No thanks, I’m only checking things out.” This must be Edward. Salvador has spoken of him more than a few times. When I keep on moving, I’m worried he’s going to try and stop me.
Then I see another door and try to open it. "Mrs. Roven,” he rushes to say as he comes over to where I’m standing. "That’s the basement and cellar. Certainly there’s no reason to go down there."