Tangled

Chapter 96

96 Ava: Life in Westwood (I)

Lucas still calls me every night, but Lisa had helped encourage me to text him yesterday, asking for space, at least until he returns to Westwood.

I’m sure he gets hourly reports from all my guards, but at least I don’t have to worry about playing nice when I’m starting to feel resentful and frustrated, despite knowing I should be grateful for being saved.

I’m grateful to him for a lot. Having guards around should be a small price for all of this. It’s just hard.

“Welcome home!” Lisa exclaims as she flings open the door to her new apartment.

When Lisa said that Lucas had settled her into an

apartment, I’d expected something… I don’t know.

Normal?

This is far from normal.

The luxurious living room has been decorated in some

sort of eclectic, artistic mix of boho wall decor and minimalist furniture, leaving bright, wide open spaces with bright splashes of color and texture on the walls.

13:30

1/8

C

96 Ava. Life in Westwood (1)

Floor–to–ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, framed by curtains I’m afraid to even touch. How can curtains look so expensive?

A sleek kitchen gleams in the corner, all stainless steel appliances and marble countertops, with white

cabinets that are going to be a terrible experience to keep clean. It’s like the entire apartment was made with maid service in mind.

breathe, running my fingers along the back of the luxurious leather couch. “Lucas really

didn’t he?”

me, because–well, they’re still arguing.

competing with the clatter of her -heels against the hardwood as she storms after Kellan. “We don’t need a guard dog watching our every move in here.

sprawling cityscape beyond the glass. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting

248

Life in

height. People crowd the

It’s busy.

From the Novel Grind and its cozy charm. From

made my own.

From Selene.

curled around my mind like a contented cat. I keep reaching

now, assuming it was a side effect of our bond. I’d hoped it meant Selene was getting closer, that she’d found a way to reach me despite the distance. But as the hours tick by with no sign of

insidious and cold.

happened to her? What if she’s hurt, or worse? The thought makes my stomach twist, bile rising

15.30

<

Ava: Life in

Her absence leaves me feeling

forehead against the cool glass, squeezing my eyes shut as if I can will her into existence through sheer desperation. Please, Selene, I beg silently.

no answer, just the muted sounds of the city and Lisa’s ongoing argument with Kellan.

Lisa’s voice cracks like a whip, jolting me out of my spiraling thoughts. “Ava’s

our top priority. We

of Mom and Dad makes me want to vomit, but it’s the memories of Todd’s attack

978

in Westwood

the way his teeth

little shit again, but his nightmares live in my head, rent–free. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

many times he’d spent kicking me when I was already curled up on the floor, hands over my head, waiting for the

jaw, fighting against the wave

And I won’t let anyone make me feel powerless

I’m looking forward to it in a way that makes me almost want to shy away from the newly bloodthirsty urge in my soul–the one that wants to slaughter anyone who looks at me the

wrong way.

will change a lot of things, I guess.

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