A High so Sweet (Thornes & Roses #2) - Dani Rene Page 0,7
family’s money, he is able to travel and live anywhere in the world. All I can do is pray he’s taken the opportunity and moved far away from this sleepy little pocket of beauty he once called home.
The town car finally comes to a crawl as we head up the hill, which will take us to my childhood home, but not before passing Thorne manor. The enormous mansion stands proudly amongst the trees, the rooftops just visible in between the greenery.
Yellow and gold leaves color the sidewalk, as the trees that line either side of the road turn to their fall shades. It’s almost Halloween, and the weather has turned chilly. There is rain in the forecast for the rest of the week, and I wonder briefly if there’ll be a gala on Saturday. It’s one of the most talked-about events in town, even people from out of state travel to attend the infamous Thorne Gala.
The thought sends a flurry of nerves fluttering in my stomach at the idea of Cassian coming home to attend. But even if he does, he’ll be dressed up, most probably, which means it will be harder to spot him.
We pull up the long driveway that leads to the place I lost my heart, mind, and soul, and for a moment, I’m sure it’s changed. It doesn’t look as big or as haunting as it used to, but then again, I was seventeen, the last time I saw it. A broken teenager who escaped her pain with drugs and alcohol.
“So, this is your home?” the voice from beside me startles me because my mind had wandered to another place. Another time. But I can’t focus on the past, so I glance at the man beside me.
I nod slowly. “It was,” I respond honestly; the raspy tone of my voice is the only clue that emotion has taken hold of me.
“Hey,” he says as he scoots closer to me, taking my hand in his. “This is for the best.” He presses a kiss to my knuckles, and I don’t miss how he glances at the ring on my finger, the princess cut diamond he slid onto my hand only a week ago. When I said yes, I didn’t think the guilt would eat away at me, and now, as we pull up to the one place I never wanted to return to, I realize there’s no more hiding away. I have to face my mistakes, my past, and the one man who still holds my heart.
The reason we’re here is not to reminisce on days gone by but to say a final goodbye. I just wish my father was here. Even though he couldn’t make the trip due to his illness, I still miss my dad being close.
I think about the last time I saw him, two days ago, when I told him we needed to get this done. He looked so much older, frailer, with his hair graying and the illness taking hold of him like I never thought possible. Even though they caught it early, the treatments have stolen his energy. All I can do is pray that he overcomes it, that it doesn’t spread into his stomach and liver, but there are no guarantees in life.
My chest tightens at the thought, reminding myself of what I’ve already lost, who I’ve lost. Tears burn my eyes as I push open the door and step out of the town car. My gaze taking in the three-story mansion, I notice how ancient it looks from out here. Since living in Los Angeles, where everything is glass and steel, I breathe a sigh of relief, taking in the darkness of the wooden beams and black metal terraces. Most of Thorne Haven is old, with antiques and open brick.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” Paulo, my fiancé, questions in a whisper, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. It’s meant to come from a place of love and affection, but I know it’s more intrusive to find out if I’m feeling like snorting white powder up my nose.
“I’m fine,” I tell him before stepping onto the porch and over the threshold as our driver pushes open the door. My heels clink against the tiles as I step inside the home I came to love. I’m different now, yet still the same. I’m older, more mature, but the lie I told still haunts me. The addiction I allowed to eat away at me is still there, lurking beneath the bright, fake smiles