Chapter 7
I had nightmares for days after that visit–always River chasing me through endless hallways.[]
When Mackenzie asked if I wanted to see the kids again, I immediately shook my head. “Hell no! That man looks like he stepped out of a horror movie. Just thinking about him gives me the creeps.“]
Mackenzie burst out laughing, but I could see tears in her eyes. “My poor baby got traumatized. I promise you, Willa–you’re never dealing with that bullshit again. Your life is only getting better from here.“]
Damn right it was–I was sitting on nearly a billion dollars now.[]
Seeing how much River had messed with my head, Mackenzie decided the best therapy was keeping me buried in work.[]
So I started pulling these insane–hours. One night I worked until 3 AM.[]
When I finally finished and collapsed back in my chair, I wanted to die.
The worst part? I wasn’t even dreaming about River anymore–now it was all spreadsheets and client calls. Work during the day, work in my sleep. My subconscious had become a fucking office.
I marched into Mackenzie’s office to complain, and she just grinned at me. “Aw, poor baby can’t handle her workload? Funny how everyone else manages to hit their deadlines. Maybe you’re just not trying hard enough?“[]
I grabbed her blazer and shook her. “You absolute corporate monster! I hate you!“[]
“Okay, okay! We’ve got that long weekend coming up anyway. Nine days off–I’m taking you somewhere amazing.“]]
Columbus Day weekend, we hit this gorgeous beach resort. Mackenzie was so paranoid about me wandering off that she made me wear this GPS watch like I was some kind of toddler.
I’d always dreamed of beach vacations. At eighteen, I’d fantasized about wearing cute bikinis and feeling confident in my own skin.
But when we actually got there, I felt sick looking at myself. My stomach was covered in these ugly scars.
I got really emotional and told Mackenzie how hideous they were. “Why did I do this to myself? I went through all that pain having kids, and they just treat me like garbage anyway.“]
Mackenzie knelt down and gently touched my face. “Hey, don’t talk like that. You were young and brave enough to love with your whole heart. They betrayed you–that’s on them, not you.“[]
She was right. I still wanted to wear that cute bikini, so I slathered concealer over the scars. Didn’t hide them completely, but fuck it.
We’d splurged on this private beach club, so it was pretty empty and peaceful.]
I was having the time of my life, running into the waves with Mackenzie and just feeling free. After hours of playing in the water, I found this incredible piece of sea glass on the shore. When I turned around with my treasure, I saw Mackenzie’s face had gone completely white.[]
Following her stare, I spotted River watching me with that same smug expression.]
“Well, well. I actually thought you’d grown up, Willa. But here you are, over a year later, still trying to get my attention with the same pathetic tricks.“]
Chapter 7
“Fucking asshole,” I muttered.]
Mackenzie snorted with laughter. “Come on, babe. Let’s bounce.“]
I started following Mackenzie back toward our chairs, determined not to give River another glance.[]
But he stepped right into my path, towering over me. Something snapped in me that day.[]
The fear was gone, replaced by this white–hot rage. Why him? Why did this piece of shit get to be the one who broke my heart?
I looked up and gave him my sweetest smile. “Fancy seeing you here.“[]
River’s eyes darkened as he moved closer. “You forgot–I own this whole stretch of beach.“]
The area was pretty deserted. Mackenzie tried to steer me away, but I shook her off.
I crooked my finger at him, and River leaned down, his hand sliding to my waist.]]
His gaze traveled over my body with that familiar hunger.]
1
I kept smiling as he got closer and closer.[]
When his face was inches from mine, I smashed the piece of sea glass straight into his temple. River stumbled, completely caught off guard, and I drove my knee hard into his groin. He dropped like a stone.
I started beating him with the sharp glass, aiming for his head, his face, anywhere I could reach. He was too stunned and hurt to fight back, so I kept going, hitting him over and over.[]
Finally Mackenzie tackled me from behind. “Willa, stop! You’re going to kill him!“]
That’s when the tears started. “Mackenzie, I remember. I remember how we first met.”
