Page 64 of Release Me

“Fuck,” I cry.

I try to hold my body off the bottom of the tub, but I just don’t have the strength required to do so. Admitting defeat, I let the water and wasted oils drain and wrap myself in a towel. Even the velvety, soft terrycloth is too much for my ultra-sensitive, bruised skin.

Feeling utterly deflated in every sense of the word, I slowly stalk out of the bathroom and over to my bed. I pull the covers back and carefully slide underneath them trying to balance myself on my side. The weight of heavy fatigue pulls at my eyelids, and I allow them to close. I just need to rest for a few minutes, then I will try to get dressed and see if Richard is ready to speak to me. I have a lot of explaining to do, and I need him to listen.

* * *

When my eyes shoot open, I quickly sit up in bed.

And immediately regret it.

Fuck my ass hurts. And not in a good way. Everything that happened last night and this morning comes flooding back to me at once. Tears leak down my face as I realize I’m not dreaming, and I’ve completely fucked my reality. I look at my bedside clock. It’s seven in the evening.

I’ve slept the majority of the day away. I missed dinner. No one came to wake me, which means Richard didn’t want me there anyway.

I try not to think about that as I struggle to get out of bed. I want to go find him and see if I can have a second chance to explain to him what happened last night. Padding my way over to my closet, I open the doors and look for anything in the lightest material I can find. Something silk or satin, perhaps. Picking out a silk lilac dress, I pull it over my head and throw my hair up into a messy bun. I look like death warmed over, but I couldn’t care less about my appearance at the moment.

Exiting my room, I meander down the hallway toward the staircase. When I get to the main level, I follow the smell of after-dinner coffee leading me to the kitchen. Before I’m able to push the swinging door open, I hear Richard speak.

“…right thing to do would be to send her back to Meadowlake.” The kitchen grows quiet as my eyes widen.

No.

He wants to send me back. I can’t go back there. After being here and getting a fresh taste of the outside world, I know I won’t survive it. Especially not after what happened with Finn the day I left.

I’mnotgoing back there no matter what. I’d rather die. Going back there would be worse than death.

Of course he doesn’t want me anymore. He made that clear when he told Victoria he preferred her as a Domme to me as a sub. Let’s not forget, I’m not the only one who wasn’t faithful to our agreement last night.

Abandoning my plan to speak to Richard, I go back upstairs as quickly as I’m able. I grab a bag from my closet and throw a couple outfits in it. From the bathroom, I grab my toothbrush and toothpaste, as well as my hairbrush, shampoo, and conditioner. I don’t have a fucking dollar to my name, and my bank account and credit cards were all frozen the day of my sentencing.

There’s no way I’ll ever be able to access them again without someone finding me. I can’t ever let that happen. I need to get far away from here. Mexico, maybe? I’ll dye my hair blonde or red if I have to. If I can make it out of the house and to the little town down the road, I’ll have a chance of getting away. I can suck and fuck my way across the country as payment for a ride. I hate the idea of doing it, but if it’s my only option…

My chest aches again at the thought of leaving.

Leaving Richard.

Leaving Gabriella.

Hell, I’ll probably miss grumpy Mrs. Gottwald, too.

I take one final look at the door that leads to the dungeon.

I can’t pretend like I didn’t feel something when I was down there with him. When I was anywhere with him. I can deny it all I want, but I fell for Richard the first time I laid eyes on him. However, I refuse to beg forgiveness from someone who doesn’t want me in their life any longer.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door to the bedroom and leave. I’m upset I won’t have a chance to say goodbye to Gabriella and explain why I need to go. But as I make my way down the stairs, I’m thankful I didn’t get caught. I’m even more thankful I didn’t stick around long enough to be sent away.

Having to say goodbye would hurt more than I could bear.

ChapterTwenty-Six

RICHARD

The lookof pity on Mrs. G’s face makes this situation feel even more real.

Usually when I’m in a tough situation, she and Mr. G have some sort of wise or profound advice to give me based on their own experiences.

But they’ve never had the person they love cheat on them before.

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