Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 150968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 150968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Damn, it’s nice to finally leave. Gratifying indeed. The freedom that comes with it fills me with pure fucking bliss and infinite reprieve. I don’t have to see Sienna’s face everyday and I won’t have to hear my father’s constant yapping about how pathetic me and my life decisions are.
This new place, a luxurious two-bedroom apartment that Maddox and I share, is quiet and smells of new paint. My eyes close, enjoying the tranquility that comes with my new-found freedom. For the first time in many years, I finally feel relaxed.
Cole is off to Yale, and he’s damn happy about it. I don’t have to worry about him anymore. He’s healing, I see it in his eyes now. The guilt he bore from the accident slowly being lifted from his shoulders. The depressive phase he went through because of his limp…he’s grown to accept he will never be able to play football again. There are five stages of grief, indeed, and my twin went through all of them.
Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally acceptance.
And lastly, Cole is safe and away from Sienna’s vile intentions. Her focus had shifted over the last year. I guess she found a new man who piqued her interest, her shiny new toy. Another guy trapped in her webs of lies and manipulations.
Cole and I waited for two years for this day…
And it’s finally here.
Fuck yeah.
My phone rings, snapping me out of my thoughts. I answer the call without looking at who it is. “Yes?” I hear rustling in the background and then Maddox’s voice comes through.
“Lila and Riley want to go out for dinner. They are curious to check out the restaurants around us. You wanna come along?”
I take another sip of my drink. “No, I’m good. I’ll order in.”
“Cool.”
I end the call and tuck my phone away. Leaning my head back against the couch, I close my eyes. The apartment is quiet, except for the sound of my breathing. I stretch my legs out in front of me, my feet knocking a box over, but I don’t even bother opening my eyes.
I haven’t slept in over forty-eight hours.
But I can feel my body collapsing now, exhaustion clawing at my bones.
The silence lulls me to sleep, and when you finally have peace for the first time in your life, it’s the best fucking sleep you can have.
***
The sound of the doorbell, followed by a knock, pulls me from my slumber.
I groan, sitting up and rubbing my sore neck. Shit, what time is it? I can’t remember the last time I passed out like this.
My body and mind only shut down like this if I go at least two days without a wink of sleep. But even then, I have to workout vigorously, pushing my body beyond exhaustion until my mind crumbles into a fretful sleep. I was never diagnosed with insomnia, because I never went to see a therapist. I can’t stand those fucking sleeping pills either.
I found a way to cope with my lack of sleep though— pushing my body beyond its limits has always been what could get me to doze off. Even if it’s only for a couple hours.
I don’t think I’ve ever slept for more than four hours at a time.
I climb to my feet, frowning when I hear the knock again. Did Maddox forget his keys?
The knock comes again, and in two long strides, I make it to the door, opening it to whoever disturbed my sleep. My throat closes at the sight of Sienna standing outside my apartment and I almost choke on my spit. My mouth clamps shut, the muscles in my jaw tensing.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, in a hardened voice.
Sienna smiles coyly, her hand brushing over my chest as she pushes past me to come inside. “I had a meeting for the new clothing brand I’m sponsoring. And since I was already in town, I thought I’d come for a visit.”
Coldness seeps into my veins.
Sienna’s eyes sweep over my apartment, taking everything in. She drops her handbag on my leather couch. “You haven’t unpacked yet?”
“No,” I deadpan.
She smiles, and it makes me hostile. “Aren’t you going to offer me a drink or something, Colton? Your mother has come over to visit for the first time and you’re so cold.”
“You’re not my mother.” I growl, my lungs caving within my rib cage.
My mother is dead; my father killed her in front of my own eyes.
And the only other woman who ever showed me and Cole motherly affection left us without a second glance when she realized how truly dreadful our father is.
Sienna’s creepy smile widens. “You’re right.” She slowly advances toward me, her heels clicking over the newly-polished hardwood flooring. Once she’s close enough, Sienna reaches out and her fingertips brush against my bare chest. I don’t move.