Charlotte, a failed artist, finds herself stuck between the man she loves and her fiance who loves the power and control he has over her.
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Charlotte knew she had met the love of her life, Chase Sinclair, when she was only 20. Their relationship...
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>>>Song they dance to and what they are both wearing
Warning of DV
Chapter 7
The lazy afternoon sun shone through the backyard and Charlotte swam in the pool. Rose was inside cooking dinner and Charlotte was enjoying the last bit of sunlight before night ascended, hopefully taking the heat with it. She lazily pushed her body through the water ducking her head under as cool water engulfed her. She released the air inside her lungs as she sunk to the bottom of the pool as air bubbles escaped her.
It was so peaceful she wanted to spend forever under the water. However, her lungs started to ache as a pressure built up in her chest with the need to breathe. Pushing herself off the bottom of the floor she broke the surface taking in a deep breath of warm summer air before swimming towards the edge of the pool where she finished the last of the scotch in the glass.
Pulling herself out of the pool she quickly lit up a cigarette and sat on the chaise lounge to dry off while she had a smoke. The last 3 days had been quiet. When she arrived home to the large empty house, she spent the first-day drinking bottle of expensive scotch until she couldn't remember her name or where her bed was. Rose found her the next morning passed out in the lounge room clutching a bottle in her hand.
Tomorrow was Harriet's engagement party, and she spent the day looking for something suitable to wear. Chase had been messaging her the last few days, and she felt emotions she shouldn't be.
She grabbed her white pull overdress and slipped it on walking inside as she quickly finished her smoke. The house smelt amazing with a roast dinner, but Charlotte didn't feel like eating. Her phone chimed with a message and she sighed when she saw it was Landon checking up on her. Quickly replying she set her phone on the counter next to her tumbler as she watched Rose move around the kitchen.
"When does Landon come back?" Rose asked as she pulled the lamb out of the oven. Her stomach rumbled as she poured herself a bottle of red wine that was sitting on the bench.
"I'm not sure. He said he would be gone for 4 weeks so, in 2 more weeks, I think. He never gives me an exact date. He likes to surprise me." She took a sip savouring the rich flavours that spread across her pallet.
"Charlotte, I hope I'm not overstepping, but you know if you ever need help. I can help. My brother lives here and if you ever need help to leave, we can help." Charlotte sighed and ran her hands through her hair. Rose often saw what Landon did to her but leaving wasn't as easy as everyone said it would be. Landon was too powerful, and she had nothing.
"Thank you, Rose, but I'm fine. It doesn't happen often." Both women knew that was a lie, so she just sipped her wine as Rose finished getting dinner ready.
