Page 26 of Runaway Girl
“Is it bad that I kind of feel sorry for him?” Alexis asked.
“I—I don’t know?”
“Does he have anyone to turn to while this psycho tells the world how much of a bad person he is?”
I rubbed a hand over my face. “His dad. But I don’t think he would want to involve anyone else. Ethan was always closed off about his mother. And you can see why… She’s batshit crazy.”
Alexis’ features fell in concern. “I can see the wheels turning in your head. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t… Ah, what should I do? Do I have to do anything?”
Alexis paused, a contemplative look taking over. “You don’t owe him anything, Ali. But… if you wanted to reach out to him, that doesn’t mean you’re giving in.”
“Yes, it does.”
She didn’t know him like I did. If I gave Ethan an in, even a sliver of a chance, he would take that as my admission and bulldoze me to the ground. He was not subtleorsomeone whotook things lightly. He was emotive, passionate and fully jumped without thinking of the consequences.
But, despite my best efforts, I still cared for him—hurtfor him.
Who wouldn’t? His own mother was completely unbothered in how her actions were going todecimatehim.
And they would.
Am I willing to sacrifice my own well-being for his when he has been so frivolous with mine in the past?
Chapter 16
ETHAN
I was a ghost, haunting the halls of my extravagant mansion as the vultures circled the front gates. I found myself in a special type of purgatory that was once considered my home.
There was no escape. I was unable to step foot outside, let alonebreathewithout someone shoving a camera down my throat. The paparazzi were ruthless, calling out slurs, baiting for a reaction. All famished and salivating for the rotting remains of my reputation.
My mother—scratch that,Miss Collinshad fucked me overagain.What have I done to this woman for her to hate me so much?All I ever wanted was to be her son—to be accepted and acknowledged—without her asking for anything in return.
Now, she had cast the final blow, and any remaining hope I had completely shattered alongside my childlike dreams, confirming everything I already knew to be true.
I’m not worth loving.
I stared down at my plate of untouched chicken when my door opened, then slammed shut.
Oh, hell no! Someone’s about to die.
As I bolted upright, my dad came barrelling around the corner, and when his eyes met mine, something in my psyche suddenly snapped. My knees buckled, and he caught me before I could hit the ground, his arms squeezing tight preventing me from completely falling apart.
We sat side by side on the couch, the silence more tolerable than it had been in days.
“I couldn’t get a hold of you, son. I was worried.”
“I need a new phone. I smashed it when the notifications wouldn’t stop coming in.”
Dad nodded, his features carved into a look of concern.
He had always been my rock, the one I could rely on and turn to for support. “I’m sorry I brought her back into our lives, Dad. I’m sorry I let her remain a member in mine. I’m sorry I was soweakthat I gave this person enough power to destroy me.”
Dad hung an arm over my shoulders, his presence familiar and warm. “Listen to me carefully, Ethan. You are not weak. And she does not hold that type of power! Audrey has always been a narcissist. That has nothing to do with you and everything to do withher.I want you to fight this. Fight for yourself, son. Don’t give her any more of you.”
Resolve began to take root. She had taken too much, pushed me too far. It was time she paid for the consequences of her actions.
