Ruin (Rhodes #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,51

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I think I’m losing my son, my only breather in the estate ever since I gave birth to him eight years ago. Ariel was never able to take him from me. No matter how much she tried, none of her schemes worked to turn Aaron into the abhorrent desolate soul she and Arthur shared. My baby always came back to me. Until today. He didn’t even look at me. Ariel killed herself in front of him to prove that I can’t win against them.

I lost. They’ve taken my Aaron. My light. My life.

I stare blankly for a moment. Eva must be Aaron’s mother. But who are Arthur and Ariel? Why would the latter kill herself in front of a child? It seems like Aaron’s family is crazier than he is.

When I turn the following page, the door clicks open. I hide the journal in the heap of clothes, shove them inside and close the cupboard.

Kane walks inside with a bunch of towels I requested. I’m compelled to ask him about details, but he’d confiscate the journal and hand it to Aaron. I’d lose my only way to find out more.

Kane places the towels on the bed, eyeing the mess of clothes peeking from the wardrobe. “Is there anything else you need, Miss?”

Something tells me he dislikes the mess. But oh well, my space, my rules.

I hate it when everything is neat and tidy. AKA boring.

“I told you to call me Mae.” I hesitate, but the question that’s plagued my mind pries my lips open. “Where is he, Kane?

He stands at the entrance, obviously wanting to leave. “His Lordship is quite busy this period.”

I snort. He’s been telling me that every time I ask. Whatever. It’s not like Kane ever provided answers.

“If there isn’t anything else.” He nods before leaving.

I retrieve the towels and run a bath. Once the bathroom becomes foggy, I strip and sink into the spacious bathtub fit for three people.

I sigh at the cool citrus scent coming out of the foam. It’s such a coincidence to find my favourite citrus products here. Or maybe my mind refuses to admit that it’s far from a coincidence.

I close my eyes and relax further into the warmth of the tub until bubbly water covers me to the chin.

Baths are the best things that’s happened to me since I came here.

Beside Kane. He reminds of Grandpa. He’s kind and his mere presence prevents my loneliness.

The complete opposite of Aaron.

Why would he take a captive if he planned to stop visiting? Ever since the first time I met him, I always had his attention— one twisted way or the other. Now, he just vanished. There’s no sign of him.

“Why am I even thinking about him?” I whisper to the empty beige-tiled bathroom. “He can go to hell for all I care.”

It must be because of what his mother wrote about him. Or maybe it’s because of the enchanting smile he flashed me before he disappeared. The mere memory of it sends unconscious butterflies into a frenzy.

Aaron is a monster. I’m fully aware of that. He kidnapped me, there’s nothing that could conceal that. And yet, there’s this abhorrent need for his company. A sick lethal attractiveness towards him builds inside me like the darkness I paint subconsciously.

He’s The Devil, but like any devil, it’s impossible to resist him.

Great. I’m more messed up than I thought.

I pull strands of my hair in a harsh grip. The pain at the roots of my skull does nothing to change the direction of my thoughts.

Snap out of it, Mae.

I spill water on my shoulders then rub them gently. I close my eyes at the soothing sensation. An image of Mum massaging my shoulders jumps into my closed lids. An unwilling tear rolls down my cheeks at the memory of my family and friends. They seem so distant now. So out of reach. Thinking of them always sucks me into a depressive black hole.

Enough. I won’t get swallowed in that place again.

Without opening my eyes, I reach to where I put the shower gel. My fingertips travel the length of the cold marbled surface before the bottle is placed in my palm.

“Thank—”

My lids open and the bottle falls into the water with a flop.

Aaron.

He came? Before my mind goes blank, the reality of my