Page 22 of Ruthless Regret

Standing, I find a t-shirt and pajama shorts, and get changed, then crawl under the covers. It feels good to be back in my own bed.

The house is quiet—the kind of silence that makes it impossible to stop thoughts invading my mind.

I feel like an imposter trying to take over someone else’s life. Even though everything around me is familiar, I can’t shake the feeling that I don’t belong here anymore.

My thumb finds the spot on my finger where the wedding ring sat, and I’m surprised by the rush of emotion that floods me—anger, guilt, concern.

I tug the covers tighter around myself.

I should feel relieved. I’m free. Away from Zain and his manipulations, his blackmail, the chaos he brought into my life.

My friends know what’s been happening. I don’t have to deal with this alone.

I squeeze my eyes closed, and will myself to fall asleep, but the images won’t stop, my brain won’t switch off.

The man standing in the kitchen. The knife. Zain calling my name.

With a frustrated sigh, I sit up.

I’m in New York, away from Whitstone, away fromhim…

Giving up on sleep, I toss the blankets to one side, and walk over to the window. The street outside is dark, quiet, and I have this odd sense of detachment, like I’m watching the world from a step outside of my existence.

What if someone followed me here? What if leaving Whitstone wasn’t the best thing to do?

A shiver runs down my spine.

What if someone is out there right now, watching and waiting for the right moment to strike?

No, no one is here. It’s just my imagination running wild.

No one other than the sheriff, my mom, and my friends know I’ve left town. And McFadden wouldn’t have suggested I leave if he thought there was any chance of someone coming after me … right?

A soft knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts.

“Ash?” It’s Karla.

I hesitate. I don’t really want to talk, but I can’t avoid them forever. Turning away from the window, I walk over, and open the door.

Karla is standing in the hallway. “I know you said you didn’t want to talk tonight, but I had to ask … are you okay?”

I nod, but it’s a lie. I know it.Sheknows it.

“What if McFadden was right? What if Zain wasn’t the target? What if coming here has put you and Jessa-Mae in danger? What if I’m not safe here?”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ZAIN

I drive around aimlesslyfor a while, my head full of questions. None of which I can answer. Not without digging deeper into the past. Once, I would have talked it through with Jason, and worked out what my next move should be.

My laugh, breaking the silence inside the car, startles me.

Can’t have a conversation with my best friend. If Jason was alive, I wouldn’t be trying to figure out who killed him.

You also wouldn’t have married his sister.

My eyes drop and lock on the wedding band around my finger.

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