This chapter is dedicated to BananaAnna18 thank you for all the votes. They made me smile :) I really hope you stick around.
I use my key to unlock the door, and my legs feel like jelly as I walk inside. The place is so silent, I can hear my own heartbeat drumming in my ears. Then I hear soft whispers coming from the kitchen, and the voices become audible as I get closer.
".... she should know about us. I don't know how she will take it, though. She already hates me." Red says, and I hear plates creaking.
"Can you blame her?" Liam says. "You've made it hard for her to like you, Elle."
Then I see them sitting on the island stool, eating a late dinner. Liam pours her a drink, and she smiles at him warmly. She looks beautiful with her hair up in a messy bun and a black spaghetti strap blouse.
"Well, I hated that she had you. You drive women insane, you know." She chuckles. "But now I have what I want. Life is full of surprises."
As if he can sense my presence, Liam looks up, and his eyes catch mine. I see his blood drain as his eyes stay fixated on me. Red looks up, following his gaze, and her eyes widen.
I am too shocked to form a word, so I just turn around and speed to the front door.
"Jess!" Liam calls. But I don't look back.
Just as I reach the door, strong hands grab my arms and twirl me around.
"Let go of me!" I push against him, yanking my hands away.
"Jessica, please calm down," Red says, looking terrified. And I look at her incredulously.
I open my mouth to speak but my breath hitches when I notice the little purple bruises on her neck that go down to her chest, disappearing into her blouse.
"How could you do this?" I say, turning to Liam.
This whole entire thing feels like a nightmare, and I am hoping something will jolt me awake. My heart feels like it's been stabbed a thousand times.
I reach for the door again, but Liam blocks the way.
"Jess, just give me a second to explain, please." I see the panic in his eyes.
"You don't need to explain. It's pretty self-explanatory. We have an open relationship, right?" I say venomously. "Don't worry about it. I had my share of fun with Oscar too. Glad to see you were doing the same."
His eyes widen, and he takes his hand off me as if I electrocuted him.
"You wouldn't." He shakes his head. "Please, tell me you didn't."
I know I just made his worst nightmare come true, but he did it to me first.
"Jess?" He looks so heartbreakingly vulnerable, I want to gather him in my arms and tell him everything is gonna be okay. But it's not. I don't think it will ever be. So instead, I open the door and run out.
YOU ARE READING
Counting Stars | ✔
RomanceJessica Grayson has struggled with body dysmorphia and bullying for most of her life. And when she believes she has finally turned things around for herself, she is betrayed and made fun of by her boyfriend and close friends, which sends her into a...