Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 86325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
With those words I leave Father's office, half-expecting them to call out for me to stay, or at least to follow me, but neither does. Pissed off and with my head spinning, I head for the gardens and sit down on a bench, trying to sort through my thoughts.
How did this happen?
How did my life get so royally screwed up?
And how could I possibly fix it?
It must be an hour of deep thinking later that I see Livia exiting the house and walking toward me. The last thing I want is another confrontation with that crazy woman, and I groan out loud when she takes the seat opposite.
"I had a nice conversation with your father," she smirks. "You'll be pleased to know he holds no grudges against me."
"Shocking," I mutter. "But I do, Livia. And I want nothing to do with you."
"I think you might quickly change your tune." She reaches for my hand but I snatch it away from her. She shrugs before going on. "I could give you everything you want. I could be the girl that gives you children, a family. We were happy together once, weren't we, Ryder? I could give you all that back... and more."
I remember my moments with Livia. The passionate sex, the way her fingers felt against my skin. The emotions I felt, the love I thought was real, all fade in comparison to what I feel – felt – for Aurora. The two women are incomparable. And perhaps it would be easier to go with Livia, finally please Father and give him the heir he so badly wants. But at the same time, it would feel like a betrayal to myself, and Aurora. And I can't fucking do it.
"I'm not interested," I bite out after a moment's pause. "I'm not trying to be cruel or malicious, Livia, but what we had is gone. And it can never be replaced or built back up."
"What about her then?" she demands, lifting her chin up proudly. "You can't forgive me, but you'll forgive that cagna for lying to you all along? She fed you more bullshit than I ever did, Ryder."
I keep my mouth shut, knowing I can't win in this conversation. The longer it goes on, the more I risk hurting Livia, and as much as I don't like her, I don't want to see her upset because of me, either.
The real difference isn't in the lies they both told me. The real difference is in my emotions – the way I feel about Aurora certainly outweighs any feelings I ever had for Livia. I was never this determined, this passionate about the brunette sitting in front of me. Aurora showed me a different side of myself. One I wanted to be – one that loved her, truly, passionately, and without reservations.
"You need to leave," I finally mutter, making Livia's brows shoot up in surprise.
"Excuse me?"
"You need to go," I repeat, picking myself up from the bench. "I don't want to listen to this shit anymore. I've got important stuff to do, like finding Aurora."
Her lips thin out and she stares at me with pure hatred. It's shocking how fast she changes her tune. "So, you're turning me down."
"I'm glad you said it, not me." I nod toward the car waiting for her in front of the house. "You need to leave, Livia."
"Fine, Ryder." Her words come out dripping with venom. She gets up and throws me one last pitying look. "You'll regret your decision, Ryder. I'll make sure of it."
When she tries to leave, I grab her wrist. Livia gasps as I pull her roughly against me, her eyes widening when she sees the anger in my gaze.
"Don't threaten me, little girl," I bite out. "It won't end well for you."
She looks like she's about to say something else, but eventually swallows her reply and rips her hand away from me. As she walks away and toward her ride, she stumbles twice, making me smirk.
Not as strong and independent as she wants everyone to think she is.
But I have more important things on my mind than Livia. I need to find Aurora, and fast. Something's telling me she's in danger... and I can't let anything happen to her.
Not now, when I've finally come to terms with my feelings for the girl...
27
Aurora
Despite my best intentions, I don't catch a wink of sleep. Hours pass and all I do is toss and turn in the plush bed in the new bedroom I've been given. My thoughts are racing with possibilities. I'm thinking of ways to run away from here, get back to Ryder. I'm thinking about Angelo Giordani, whom I'm supposed to meet in a few hours. All of it makes my night uncomfortable.
I open my eyes what must be only a few short hours later but feels like days. My hand rests on my stomach, as if I were trying to protect the baby even in my sleep. I gently pull my dress up and stroke the taut skin of my stomach. I'm still stroking my belly when the doors to my new prison open and Sophia saunters inside wearing a beatific smile.