Cruel Sanctuary

Chapter 34

Regret, disappointment, anguish. 

Heavy sighs can be heard from around me as I lie in my bed, duvet up to my nose, tissues scattered delicately over my sheets, stench filled aroma rising from what may be my body or dirty clothes. He sits down beside me again, stroking the top of my knotted hair, "Come on, Sky, come out of your room," Owen's soothing sounds as I cuddle further into my new home. I haven't been out for a week and I don't intend to do so any time soon. 

Shaking my head, I groan and sink further under the blanket, "He shouldn't have this hold over you, Sky," Owen states and I scoff, "He was using me to get to you, Owen. How do you think that feels?" Silence. Owen has never and will never be accustomed to the feeling of being used. He couldn't possibly understand the burning sensation that I feel as sudden stabs blow at my stomach lining, my eyes stinging with tears squeezing out. 

"I'm sorry, Skylar," He consoles me with a gentle tone and a soft, caressing hand, "I really am, you should know that," Owen then stands in finalisation and, with the motion, I sink back down into the risen mattress. I stop him, "Wait," He halts abruptly in his tracks and I peek timidly over the top of my covers as he stifles a laugh, "Can you stay?" I request and I receive my desired response as his body connects with the space beside me in our bed, his arm making its way around me as the droplets fall once more, reminiscing on the events of last week. 

"Noah wants to meet me in town," I tell Owen who questions where I am off to in such a hurry, "Do you need a lift?" He asks me and I chuckle, a soft smile on my faintly made-up face, "I'm good, I think three months sharing a room has proven that we need a little space for a day or two," I wink at him and he scoffs, "Oh, please," His eyes roll sarcastically, "I'm a dream to share a room with!" Raising my eyebrows in contradiction, I exit towards the elevator as a goofy grin spreads across my content features. 

Almost immediately after the doors clasp shut with a click, I sigh in relief, straightening out my pale pink denim skirt and hook my tinted sunglasses to the v-neck of my white cropped vest top, a cosy cardigan over my shoulders. My phone bleeps, causing me to laugh to myself as I flinch at the sudden sound. 

Clara: 

Are you meeting Noah? 

It's strange that Clara is texting me out of the blue but I want her to know that now is not the time for her malicious games. Even though she has been tolerable towards me for the past few months, she still doesn't like me and, after what she allowed me to go through, I definitely do not like her. So, as I stroll through the open doors of the elevator, I reply to her in a hurry. 

Yes, why?

He's here and shit-talking about you 

Clara, today is not the day for your games.

I promise you, I'm not kidding! I heard it, he's talking on the phone 

I don't believe you.

Hurry up and meet me by the water feature, I'll show you

Her allegations are intriguing, so I step on the gas whilst blasting my playlist. Throughout my journey, I find myself questioning Noah's loyalty. What if Clara is right? What would I do if Noah is really who Clara claims him to be? Surely he wouldn't, I assure myself, not after attending my wedding, almost kissing me and being my shoulder for all things 'Owen'. Which is why, when I stride towards the shops, I am confident in Noah's ability to stay true to me. I trust Noah.