Betrayed by my own

Chapter 12 - Love is in the air

Her body refused to fall back asleep after she woke up screaming and covered in sweat from reliving the torture of Callum's wicked games. The excruciating rush of pain that encompassed her whole body made her jolt awake with her blankets strewn on the floor, instantaneously running to her bathroom holding on to the edge of the toilet as the bile rose up past her throat.

This was the usual morning routine for the past two weeks since she was allowed back in her own room after the incident. Unlike her normal routine it took her longer to gain back enough energy to shower and make it to the first floor.

Nobody was expected to be awake at four in the morning yet she took note of the fact that Ryder's office light was turned on.

Did he forget to turn it off or is he actually awake this early in the morning?

A scuffling came from the room so she continued towards the kitchen in an effort to avoid a conversation with him. There was no way she could talk to him without drinking a cup of coffee first - nor did she want him to see her in a shaking state. Briskly making her way to the kitchen, she turned the island light on and began making her usual vanilla latte. A plain option yes but delicious all the same.

Her stomach growled alerting her to the fact she was hungry, pastry hungry. It was just her luck that there was a delicious platter of french pastries on the counter calling to her like the sea calls to Moana. Figuring that Lily had prepped all of this for breakfast, Charlie knew that she wouldn't mind her having a few for herself before everyone else came down.

Mind wandering, Charlie finished making her coffee and breakfast, taking it to the snug chairs in the living room (down the hall) where she unfortunately reminisced about her time with Callum whilst she traced over the scars on her thigh in an attempt to oppress the rising feeling from crashing over her like a wave. Not impressed with the amount of scars tearing up her body, especially the new addition across her abdomen, the ones on her neck and thigh did make her look dangerous. She certainly enjoyed the thought of being badass just like everyone else at the manor. The thought she enjoyed most was being at Ryder's side, him holding her in his muscular arms as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear...

That's enough of that. Charlie shook her head dismissing the image before it could develop any further. Dunking another croissant into her coffee before taking a mouth watering bite. I love this more than anything in the world, she muttered to herself as the sweet flavour enveloped her taste buds.

"Darling, what are you doing up so early?"Ryder came out of the shadow reminding her of when they first met. Although this time he was only wearing his suit pants and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the buttons down. She was trying not to let her mouth drop at the godly sight. His midnight hair dishevelled. Irresistible. God he looks hot. Already knowing the answer to his question, he came and crouched in front of her as she placed her mug and plate on the oak coffee table.

"Just decided to start my day early, I plan to get to the gym before the boys so I don't get ogled," a light laugh erupted from her throat. It was abruptly stopped by the scowl that was painted across Ryder's face.

"I heard you scream sweetheart, you can't fool me," she sighed bringing her hands up to cover her face. "Now tell me what's going on in that pretty little head of yours."

"I don't think words can even begin to explain how fucked up my brain is." He cupped her hands into his pulling her closer to him. Sniffles turned into sobs as she grasped onto his shirt tugging him closer (much to his surprise). Certainly not used to comforting someone else, his back stiffened, tensed and relaxed back down. As much as she wished to dissipate from existence right now, she couldn't. She was used to bottling everything up, suppressing it until it vanished but when it came to this she needed someone to talk to.

Being the proud person she is, she wouldn't dare let down her walls for anyone, or at least that's what she thought. Her bloods flow calmed as she closed the remaining space between them. Her head rested on his shoulder as her arms attempted to wrap around his torso but she was weak and could barely hold herself up. Ryder waited for her sobs to become sniffles and the whimpering to stop before he decided what to do with her next. Gradually rubbing circles onto her back and humming a light melody he scooped her up (bridal style) into his large arms.

I know she's struggling and she won't tell me but I can't bear to hear her screaming awake every night. No one else knows because they all sleep like rocks but with her room so close I can't help but wake up and worry. She never once spoke of what happened to her this whole time - all I know is that she got hurt a lot by the looks of the scars on her neck. Fucking dickhead he is. Does he really think that because their parents signed some stupid paper she magically belongs to him. I think not. Idiot.

Reaching the third floor, Ryder bought her into his room. He didn't like the idea of her waking up alone so laying on the couch was his idea of rest for the morning. Not one protest reached Charlie's lips as he tucked her underneath the covers and turned on the ac before kicking off his shoes and laying in the chair beside her. 'Closer the better'. What he really wanted was to be beside her but it was way too soon for that to become something that he could talk about. He could wait. He will wait. Until she is ready, when he can amend her bruise heart. He wouldn't tell her what he just found about her parents. That could wait.