Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Though they protested, I insisted on walking Mamma and Aria out to their car a few hours later.
“Jeez, the doctor says I’ve got to exercise, okay! You all are coddling me way too much.”
Mamma harrumphed but hugged me and got into the SUV.
Aria searched my face and body for signs of fatigue and pain. But I was feeling much better and ready to get back to life.
I gripped my sister’s biceps and gave her a wee shake. “I’m good. Are we good?”
“I can’t believe you were hiding this from me the whole time—I know you were just protecting me. I get it. But I hate that you went through this. And when you’re better, if you’re up to it, I want to hear more about the boy who died.”
“Ashton.” His name was hoarse on my lips and always accompanied by a guilt that no amount of therapy could assuage.
“Ashton,” Aria repeated sadly. “When you feel up to it, will you tell me about him?”
“Yeah. Of course.”
“Okay.” She pulled me into her arms and kissed the side of my head. “I love you, Ally.”
I smiled. “I love you too.”
A few days later, I’d finally convinced everyone to let me get back to life as I knew it. Dad had postponed the start of his new movie, and it was costing the studio thousands of dollars a day, so I’d insisted he leave. Before he did, however, he told me that he’d ended it with Maggie. Although he loved her (and I could see that he was cut up about his choice), she belonged to a past life. Dad had been clinging to nostalgia. In the end, he’d decided he didn’t want to lose Mamma.
Unfortunately, Mamma wasn’t sure she didn’t want to lose him. I think Dad was ready to fight for her, though. It was up to my mother if he was too late. I’d stand by her, no matter what. And I’d stand by Dad too. They’d both made mistakes. I’d like to think that there were people who would love me through the worst things I’d ever do, and I wanted to be a person who loved the people I loved, even when they did something that wasn’t very lovable.
As always, Jared and I were up early. We’d eaten breakfast and Jared had gone into the living room to switch on the news for the weather for the week. My gold wedding band glinted on my finger as I washed our dishes. While I was recovering, there had been no sex, but Jared held me every night before we went to sleep and I always woke up in his arms.
There was no discussion about the fight we’d had the night of the accident. I think we both felt that words were kind of unnecessary. Well … most words.
I was still waiting on three particular words from my husband.
As I put away the dishes, the news presenter caught my attention as she announced breaking news from the US. I wandered into the sitting room, my heart jumping at the announcement on the news ticker below her on the screen.
BREAKING NEWS: California Attorney General Andrew Gray Arrested in FBI Raid.
“Oh my God, turn it up.”
Jared flicked me a look but did as I asked.
“Last night, California Attorney General Andrew Gray was arrested on suspicion of international child sex trafficking. Sources reveal Gray has been under investigation for more than two years while the FBI gathered evidence against him. His home in the Hollywood Hills and his offices in Los Angeles were raided simultaneously last night. Gray has served as attorney general for three years and was public in his aspirations to advance to the Senate. The US president has yet to make a statement … In other news …”
“Fuck.”
Jared frowned. “Am I missing something?”
Heart racing, I grimaced sadly. “Andrew Gray was Ashton’s stepdad.”
Understanding dawned and Jared crossed the room to pull me into his arms. “I’m sorry.”
I clung to Jared. “It’s okay. This is good. This means Ashton’s finally getting the justice he deserves.” I trembled thinking about all the kids Gray had most likely hurt over the years. “I hope he rots in jail for the rest of his life.”
Jared rested his cheek on my head and just held me. We stood there for a while, and I knew he would stand there holding me for as long as I needed. But I also knew he had work to do.
Reluctantly, I released him and gave him a reassuring smile.
My husband cupped my face in his hands. “Why don’t you spend the day with me?”
“I don’t want to get in the way.”
“I want you there.” He brushed a thumb over my cheek. “I’ll just worry about you otherwise. That”—he gestured to the TV—“is a lot to take in.”
Actually, the thought of some physical work keeping me distracted and busy sounded like exactly what I needed. “Okay. But no coddling me.”