Ruin (Rhodes #1) by Rina Kent

                             Live your life, forget about me. You deserve better, Mae. You are free.

                             Aaron.



                             Sobs tighten my throat. I pull the letter to my chest to not soak it with tears. I fall back on the mattress, my heart seeming to leave my chest with every breathe.

                             I’m acutely aware of my parents calling my name, their voices hardly reach over my sobs.

                             What’s freedom? Is freedom without Aaron what I really want?



                             . . . . .



                             The following day, my friends visit me. I cry in Sydney’s embrace, unable to hold back emotions. My friends represent normality. Sanity. And yet, my heart doesn’t seem to belong with them anymore. I keep looking at the door, expecting it to burst open and for Aaron to announce that the masquerade is over. That he will take me back.

                             “Will you talk to us, Mae?” Owen asks. “We want to help you.”

                             My parents, Owen, and Sydney look at me intently. Their gazes, although different, share concern and sympathy.

                             I should hate it. I never wanted them to look at me this way, but they all have been through a lot.

                             “Please.” Sydney takes my hand in hers, eyes pleading. “Being silent won’t bring any results.”

                             “I love the new hair colour, Syd.” I pat a strand of her jet black hair, my fingers swaying back to the memory of when they interlaced in Aaron’s hair.

                             Why does everything reminds me of him? He hurt me. On more levels than one. Why am I the one in pain instead?

                             With a deep breath, I tell Dad, “I’ll talk to the police.”

                             Mum pushes strands of my hair back. “Are you sure, honey?”

                             When I nod, Dad goes outside.

                             “You don’t have to tell them everything,” Owen says in a gentle tone. He has grown facial hair, it suits him. “Whenever you’re uncomfortable, you can chase them away.”

                             Two men, one dressed in a formal brown suit and the other in a doctor’s coat, come inside the room.

                             “Hello, Miss Wilson,” says the one in the suit after the two of them sit across from the bed. “I’m Detective Mathews and this is Dr Howard, and we would like to ask you some questions.” I nod, he continues, “We can have this conversation alone if you like.”

                             I shake my head frantically. “No. I want my family and friends with me.”

                             Detective Mathews nods, retrieving a notepad and a pen from his jacket. Dr Howard holds something similar too. “Let’s start with the night you were taken,” Mathews’ expression is gentle. “Do you remember anything?”

                             “I was partying with my friends.” I glance at them, their eyes drop and Sydney sniffs. Patting her hand, I turn to the detective. “I was kidnapped outside the club’s back entrance.”