Deception

Chapter Twelve

The past two days had been absolutely brutal on my body, soul, and mind. My sleep was terrible, and my body was really feeling it.

Usually, I'd be happy for it to be a Friday, but at the stage I was at, nothing was feeling good.

I hadn't heard from Matteo since the day of the flowers, which I was more than ecstatic about.

I didn't have the energy or mental capacity to piece together how I was going to face the fact that he'd wiggled his way back into my life and into my head.

Sophie had practically stayed with me the whole time. She was a trooper, honestly. I'd wake up screaming, and she'd always be there to calm me down.

I hated that she had to see me like this. We were best friends, but this part of my life I tried to keep hidden from her.

Sophie had always known about my family and background. My mother was a deadbeat who abandoned us when I was young, and my father left not long after.

He couldn't bear the fact that our mum had left us for another man and another family, and for some reason, he always blamed me. I guess it was easier to make me the villain than face the truth that she just didn't love him anymore.

My older sister took care of me once I turned twelve. She wasn't much older, only seventeen, but as time went on, I could feel her resenting me, just like our father did.

Since he left us to go on endless work trips, she was the only one who could look after me. I knew she wanted to escape that life, and I was the reason she couldn't. She'd witnessed more pain than I had between our parents.

He was abusive toward her, and she was a cheater so it was no surprise when she finally left him.

I don't remember much from my childhood, but my sister never failed to remind me how lucky I was to not have witnessed the things she had to.

But unfortunately , I ended up going through my very own trauma years later.

My thoughts were getting so bad I genuinely considered going back on my medication. Just for the time I'd be in Washington.

I couldn't risk spiraling there especially not in front of Constance. The meds always messed with my body, but it was a risk I was willing to take if it meant not screaming in the middle of the night and waking up a wreck the next day.

I spent all of Friday running errands for Constance. There was so much to set up and pack before our departure on Sunday. She hadn't really spoken to me much since Wednesday not that I minded.

Julie, thankfully, was a good distraction. When I wasn't running errands, she was practically talking my ear off about her dog. It was cute how passionate she was about her little family her dog and her partner. She was honestly one of the sweetest girls I'd met. Other than Sophie, of course.

Julie decided to invite herself over to mine so she could see what I was wearing in person for Saturday night. She wanted a good idea of the vibe.

After work, I said my goodbyes to Dr. Ernest, who bid me a good week and told me to enjoy my time away in Washington. It was sweet of her.

Julie and I drove back to mine so we could meet up with Sophie.

As we pulled up, the man at the reception called out my name.

"Miss Grey. A moment?"

I looked up.

"Yes?" I asked with a smile.

"Sorry to disturb you, Miss Grey, but there was a package left for you today."

My eyebrows furrowed.

He passed me the package it was a box.