White Lies (A Twisted Fate Series) (Volume 1) Read Online Free PDF

the last few days, I questioned why I’d stayed with him when there seemed to be more bad times than good. At least I knew I gave it everything and had no regrets. Or at least regrets I had control over. It was hard giving up on the person you believed was your soulmate. Through sickness and in health, through the good times and the bad… those were the vows I took. They meant something to me.
    Taking a deep breath, I flipped off the lights and left the studio. The wind picked up and whipped my messy bun around. I was probably a disaster with my paint-splattered face and clothes. The loss was still brutal, but I would survive.
    The waves crashed against the shore as I made it to the back of the property.
    Today, the sea was angry, which mirrored what brewed inside me despite all my revelations. Under the sadness, an irritation lurked as to all the unanswered questions. Why had Alex insisted he do such a dangerous job? Why had he come full circle all of a sudden? Why? Why? Why? There was so much unfinished between us.
    “Willow.”
    I turned to the familiar voice of Carson, and relief swept through me having him here. I flung my arms around him, and he engulfed me in a hug. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. So, so sorry.” My nose was buried in his chest. “I would have been here sooner, but delay after delay kept me away. I’m so sorry.”
    “All that matters is you’re here now.”
    With a gentle hand, he rubbed my back. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Willow. You know that. I tried calling to check on you. I’ve been in touch with Nonno when you didn’t answer.”
    Nonno was like a grandfather to Carson, too.
    Pulling back, I sniffled. “I’ve been in such a fog. I just… I don’t know. I turned off my phone and went into the studio to paint. It’s such a mess, Carson.” I shrugged, not sure what else to say.
    Without warning, Carson pulled me back into his embrace. “Shh… it’s okay.”
    The waves crashed against the shore while thunder rolled in the distance. I wasn’t sure how much time passed before rain droplets hit my back. I still clung to Carson as the rain pelted a little more, causing a shiver to emanate through me. “Let’s get you inside. The last thing you need is to get sick.”
    Staring into his eyes, I saw his concerned powder-blue ones staring back at me as his shoulder-length blond hair whipped in the wind. He was here for me. Throughout my entire life, Carson was always there when I needed him. I had more people in my life than I allowed myself to remember these last few days. The emptiness was all-consuming. “Sounds good.”
    Protectively, Carson walked me to the main house. Nonno and Mildred sat at the walnut breakfast table, sipping coffee. “There’s my girl.”
    I hugged him tightly. “Thank you for staying. I know I’ve been distant.” At meal times, I hardly spoke, focusing on the painting I was working on at the time. Dad would be gone for days sometimes. Mom would force him to eat like Nonno had me.
    “Of course. Did you work through what you needed to?” Nonno knew I used painting to cope and express myself like Dad. The hurt was long from gone, but I felt as though I was beginning to function once again.
    Mildred handed me a sweatshirt, which I slipped over my head.
    “I think so. Did the officers call?”
    Carson took a sip of coffee from the mug Mildred gave him, weary from all the travel. Nonno nodded. “They did about ten minutes ago. I was about to bring dinner and tell you. The investigation is still ongoing. No leads. They’re releasing Alex’s body to the crematory tomorrow. They have all the evidence they need to collect.”
    “Which officer called?”
    “Officer Ashton. He was one of the detectives who notified you.”
    Why hadn’t Alex’s supervisor called? Honestly, I knew nothing about how all this worked. Was it too dangerous to come to my house in case someone was watching? I would have thought at least his superior would have contacted me