Thank you so much for choosing my book out of a ton others, Dear Lovely readers. I would be beyond honored to hear your thoughts on my story.
The engine rumbles violently, and I peel my eyes open, blowing strands of my hair away from my face with a single breath.I tighten my shaking grip on the wheel, push my feet strongly against the accelerator, and the jeep dives forward, straight for the men in front of me.I move forward with determination, daring any one of them to stand still in front of the moving vehicle — and as expected, they scatter around, jumping out of the way.Fucking bastards.I clench my jaw tightly, bending my head to the side at the shot being fired at the vehicle.Fuck!I ram the side of the car into a wall, my eyes on the side mirror, and I roar toward a sharp turn, speeding out of the parking lot like my life depends on it.I haven’t gone too far when the sound of roaring engines speeding behind me like mad reaches my ears.Shit!My eyes are on the still gates in front of me. I have no time to stand waiting for the security gate to peel open, so I do what anyone on the freaking run would do — I ram m
I take three steps at a time, leaping past each of them in a blur, my lungs burning from the effort, but I can't stop running.Something is weird about the men.They are hot behind me. I stop at the elevator two floors down, panting heavily and leaning against my knees for a moment, but the damn elevator still has a countdown running. I don't have 10 more seconds to wait with the men rounding the corner, so I dash forward.Throwing my body against the wall to get faster, pain soars from my side, but I ignore it.My feet come to a screeching halt at the sight of two other men in front of me. They try to look as casual as possible, but I’m not buying it.The second I take a cautious step back, my hand holding onto my side, one of them snarls at me.My eyes narrow at the tattoo at the edge of their hands folded in front of them — the same similar tattoo the men chasing after me have, some behind their neck and some on their inner arm.There is something terribly shady about these men. If
I stood impatiently as the elevator ding rang with me and a few other people inside it, the door peeled open and everyone took their time stepping out which annoyed me greatly. I took a right turn and I neared Grace's room, I may have also stolen Rino's visitor card at the hospital. I glanced anxiously around me, I had very limited time before he figured out where I was and headed straight for here. I placed Rino's card against the door security panel and it flashed red, clicking open, I let out a sigh, walking into the private room meant for Grace alone. My feet halted by the door, my knees weakened and threatened to crumble beneath me, I was unable to stomach the sight the sight of her a second time. I supported my weight against the wall and forced my shaking body closer to hers on the bed. The smell of antiseptics and faint bleach hitting my nostrils. She had all sorts of wires going in and out of her, her skin pale and lifeless, my lips was pulled open a bit to insert a tub
“Rosa,” I call, and she turns to give me her full attention.“Where do these trucks bring the deliveries from?” I ask carefully.Rosa’s eyes remain on me for a moment, and I hold my breath, thinking she’s already caught up with my antics. But then her lips pout in thought.“These come from multiple sources, but they mainly shop from the other side of town,” she explains, doing her best to simplify it. I shrug.“I was thinking I’d need a couple of things,” I begin.“Oh, okay. Write down a list then—I’ll be more than happy to help,” Rosa offers with a smile, but I give her a small shake of my head.“No, it’s fine. I’ve been cooped up in here for a while. I’m bored out of my mind,” I let out a small laugh at the end. “I’ll just go ask Rino for permission to get some things myself—with a trusted guard, of course.” I smile.“You will?” Rosa asks, brows lifting in surprise.“Hmm, of course,” I insist. “What time do the trucks leave?” I ask blankly, brows raised in inquiry.“Uhh... they’re a
“Mommy.”I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding.The sound of footsteps filled the other end, followed by shuffling, and then Vivian’s voice came through.“Vivian,” I cried out, so relieved I could speak to her—and thankful she saved me from Mariana’s question.“Freya.” Vivian inhaled sharply, her voice tired and heavy.“Vivian, what happened? Where’s Nana?” I probed immediately.Her voice cracked between words. “She... she had a seizure attack. They said she’s stabilized. She just needs rest.”My heart clenched and unclenched.“Okay, okay,” I breathed heavily, my mind reeling from the information.“Freya, when do we get her surgery started? They said she doesn’t have much time left. Further delay will be detrimental. You worked so hard to be able to afford this. What is really going on?” Vivian pleaded over the phone.Silence echoed between us for a while. I leaned against the wall behind me, my mind blank and my mouth sour, my fingers flexing tightly around the phone.“
“Anna?” I repeat, confusion filling me.“She offered to help.” I nod mindlessly at Louis.One thing I’m certain of is that my phone is not anywhere in my room—neither is my purse.I let out a loud breath.If she had it this whole time, why didn’t she put it in my room like she offered to?After what occurred earlier today, I don’t want to be left alone with Anna in a room.I stomp back up the stairs and lay heavy knocks on Anna’s door. A sleepy Anna peels the door open, and I walk past her into her room.I don’t possess a single polite bone in my body right now.“What do you want?” The bitterness in her voice shines bright.“Where’s my purse and phone?” She looks caught off guard for a moment before her face morphs into a deep frown.“Why would I know anything about that?” she poses, and my jaw clenches.“Because Louis handed them over to you, and they’re nowhere in my room, which means you didn’t leave them there,” I say tightly.“I—I—” Anna begins, looking out of excuses.“What exac