A lie in the church episode 32

🌹A lie in
The church ⛪️

( 💝Love and lie 😔)

BY XONA_2018

_Full book INFO_

🙏 Read till the end 🙏

💘 chapter 32💘

I whimpered gripping the sides of the sofa, he returned with a glass of water.

Maybe it was the migraine, I left the pills for the migraine at Tristan’s, I left all my belongings there too.

Adrian pulled the table in the middle closer to where I laid, he sat down not resting all his weight on it.

“Maybe we should go to the hospital.”

“No, it’s okay. The pain is subsiding.”
He didn’t look convinced.

“Is this the first time?”

“No,” I lied.
Anything to avoid going to the hospital, I was sick of staring at white walls of the hospital, the nauseous smell of disinfectants and medicines.

He moved his hand closer and placed his palm on my forehead.

“Shit! You’re burning up.”
He stood up in a flash and left.

He returned with his car keys and the blanket I had around me earlier.

“I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“No, I’m fine. It’s nothing serious I swear.”
I said sitting up but my body didn’t feel the same anymore, my strength was wearing out and I was aware of the goosebumps on my skin.

“I will be okay once I have some rest.”
I added collecting the blanket, I wrapped it around myself and laid back.

“I will make you some soup,” he offered.
I nodded and he left.

The soup was good and very hot, my tongue was still burning from the soup.

“I will take you to your room.”
He told me after he returned from the kitchen.

He held my arm as we climbed the stairs, the pain in my head wasn’t bad as before.

He pulled the comforter up to my neck after I laid on the queen bed, he touched my forehead again, I flinched from the coolness from his hand.

“You are still hot.”
He sounded worried, he left and returned with a small towel soaked in cold water.

He rubbed my face and my arms gently and placed the towel on my forehead.

“He never wanted this, that’s all I want you to know. His mom was scared of losing him, Tristan’s guilt drove him to suicidal thoughts and nothing seemed to be working. They thought bringing some random young girl to stay with him will help.”

“He destroyed my life, he ruined everything for me. I don’t care if he decides to take his life.”
He just stared at me after I was done talking.

“I will be back to check on you.”
He told me before leaving.

I closed my eyes and went to sleep instantly.

∆
The sound of the door opening woke me up, my eyes squinted at the sun rays from outside, what time was it?

“Hey.”
I heard from behind me, I turned to look at Adrian. He was holding a tray filled with French toast, blueberry jam, bacon and steamy tea.

“Hi.”
I sat up slowly and rest my back on the headboard.

“How are you feeling?”

“Much better than last night.”
I said and sighed in relief, I moved my messy hair back to see clearly.

He dropped the tray in front of me and placed the back of his palm on my forehead.

“I’m fine now, Adrian.”
I said when he pulled away

“What about your head?”

“I don’t feel any pain.”
Except the one in my heart that won’t stop.

“I will get you some Aleve just in case.”

“Okay.”
I mumbled, he smiled at me and left. I hated medicines, I preferred injections one hundred percent.

He returned with a small bottle, he dropped it on the nightstand and sat next to me on the bed.

His hair was brushed back, his black hoodie brought out the colour of his skin. I sighted the bags underneath his eyes, did he have any sleep last night?

He stayed up taking care of me while dealing with the truth behind his relationsh¡p with Karen.

“Have you eaten?”
I asked adding jam to the toasted bread.

“I had coffee.”

“Just coffee? Eat this.”
I forced the bread with jam into his hand.

“I have enough.”
I said quickly when he opened his mouth to reject it. He chuckled softly and ate it with a shrug.

“Thanks for last night.”
I said giving him the best smile I could muster up, I would have died in the cold.

“I think I owe you a lot after everything I did to you, so don’t thank me.”

“Yeah, you definitely do.”
I said nodding my head, he laughed at me.

“I promise I will leave once I figure things out but for now, you never saw me and you don’t know where I am.”

“Yes, mam.”
He said dramatically, I smiled and ate my bacon. I missed the old Adrian, it was nice to have him back.

∆
I tried to figure my life out, to know the next step. I had stayed here for almost a week and I already felt like a burden to Adrian even if he kept telling me I could stay for as long as I wanted.

I didn’t want to return to my family or contact anyone, maybe I would be forgotten, nobody cared anyway.

If I went missing it wouldn’t mean anything to my family cause I was dead to them, Grey had probably moved on and Vina…
I missed her, she was the only one that believed me. She was the only one I could turn to for advice, but I didn’t want to contact her, I knew she’d be worried about me by now.

I needed to sort things out myself, but it was hærd, Tristan made it hærd. The fact he was in my head, no matter the amount of alcohol I consumed every night he was still there, the memories, I wished they could disappear.
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I cried every time in the shower, I was happy the water always wash my tears away.

I needed a new life, a life without Tristan, a life without any of my exes, a life without my family and one not surrounded by monsters.

I had to create it, I needed to start from somewhere right?

I hid the alcohol in my hand under the bed when I heard Adrian’s footsteps, he was back from work.
I promised him I’d stop alcohol for a few days but it wasn’t working, I needed it to stop me from going crazy.

He knocked on the door calling my name, I let him in with a fake smile.

“How are you doing?”

“I’m good.”

“I will freshen up and fix us something to eat.”
He told me and left.

I wished I could cook for him, but I have forgotten all the cooking lessons I got from ‘he who shall not be named’

I joined him downstairs after brushing my mouth to get rid of the alcohol smell.

I decided to help cut the vegetable while he did the rest.

“Chloe?”
He called, my heartbeat paused, maybe he knew I’d been drinking.

“Yeah?”

“How long are you planning not to contact anyone? Everyone thinks you’ve gone missing.”

“Good, it should stay that way.”
That was all I told him and returned to cutting the vegetable.

“Tristan already told your family the truth.”
I paused immediately he said that.

“They are all looking for you, your friends, your family, your ex. They are searching for you.”
I didn’t say anything.

“It’s hærd to pretend I know nothing about your whereabout when they are all going crazy looking for you, the whole town knows the truth already, Tristan told everyone on the news, it’s on the media. They want you back, everyone is searching.”
He waited for me to say something but I was quiet, he carried on.

“Your best friend created a website for you to come back home, your family sued the Sanchesters. They are still handling the case in court.”

I was missing out, I rarely watched the news since I got here but it was better that way, I increased my grip on the knife, I was furious. My family wanted me back now? Wow, what a great family, note the sarcasm.

“I know Tristan hurt you, I am not trying to defend him or anything but he…”

“I’m not feeling too well, I will go up and rest my head.”
I said dropping the knife, I walked quickly out of the kitchen.

I locked the door to my room and sat at the foot of the bed, everyone knew the truth? Then why wasn’t I happy?

The truth was out, but it still felt like something was missing. I wasn’t thrilled with the news, this was what I wanted but it didn’t seem like it anymore.

I swallowed the dryness in my throat and laid wistfully on the bed.

Life was so complicated, I should go and apologize to Adrian, he didn’t mean any harm.

I stood up and left the room, I paused at the living room when I saw the person on the news.

Tristan?

I found myself moving closer to listen to what he was saying.

He looked like a dead man walking, he didn’t even try to look good for the cameras.
His eyes were pale, he wore a peach sweatshirt and black jeans, his hair looked fuller and his stubble was slowly being replaced with a beard.

His blue eyes stared at the cameras, he licked his l-ips after each sentence like it was a way for him to calm his nerves.

I read the headline, COME BACK HOME, CHLOE.

I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palm. There was dark anger within me that needed release.

“….I know we hurt you, what we did was awful and inhuman, we are really sorry Cassie, please come home. We need you back home, your family needs you, your best friend needs you…”
He paused and stared at his feet then back at the camera.

“I know you hate me, I deserve that. I miss you, Cassie, it hurts not to have you near. You’re more than a distraction to me, I love you more than I thought I could ever love anyone. If you’re out there and you’re seeing this, please come back, not for me but for your family and best friend.
If you’re watching this and you’ve seen this beautiful lady, please call the number on your screen, thank you.”
He took a glance at the news anchor, he gave him a smile.

They shook hands and he left, I sat there with different emotions running through my body.

“So sad, if you have seen this beautiful lady, don’t hesitate to call the number below or inform the police.”
The Anchor said and flashed his white teeth.

I stood up to leave and saw Adrian standing not far away from where I was, he heard the news too.

“How long?”
He asked me as I walked to the dining.

“If you want me to leave, I will leave. I’m not ready to face the whole city or the whole world. I want to be alone even if it has to be a year.”

“I’m not asking you to leave, I can’t keep lying and watching them suffer. Tristan is in deep shit because he is at fault for your disappearance, I’m not trying to save him but things could get worse if you don’t come out.”

I sat on the nearest seat and gr0×ned, this was way h-rder than I expected.

“I’m not ready.”
I told him almost breaking down in tears again.

“I know how hærd it must be for you, take your time, I will wait. Just make sure you make the right decision.”
I stood up and gave him a hug, we both needed it.

He hugged me back stroking my back.

“Sorry if I’m giving you a hærd time.”
I muffled against his chest and inhaled his nice cologne.

“It’s fine.”
He whispered and I felt him smile.

His relationsh¡p with Karen must be taking a toll on him. He’s been avoiding the topic, but I knew he was still hurting.

“Cassie?”
We both heard Tristan’s voice.

“Cassie?”
We heard Tristan’s voice from behind.

“Shit!”
Adrian mumbled removing his arms around me.

We pulled away from each other and turned to look at Tristan.

He was wearing the same clothes from the news I saw earlier, I guessed he came directly from the news Center.

He looked so surprised, he said my name again, but in a soft whisper like he couldn’t believe it was me. He took a step toward me, I stepped back giving him a mean look.
He stopped and tried to say something but no words left his l-ips.
His eyes moved from me to Adrian.

“You kept her here? She was with you all this time?”
His voice raised at the end of his sentence.

“She didn’t want anyone to know.”

“You should have at least….”
He stopped and gr0×ned not knowing what to say.

I wanted to say something, but I stopped myself. I didn’t want to say a word to Tristan, I got furious just staring at him.

His eyes stayed on me, our eyes met for a brief moment but I looked away and headed for my room.

“Cassie.”
He called coming after me.

I walked faster not looking back, I could hear his heavy footsteps as he trailed behind me trying to talk to me.

I opened my door and stepped in in a haste, I shot him a glare and slammed the door on his face.
I heard him gr0×n, I walked to my bed and sat down.

“Cassie, please listen to me.”
He knocked on the door.

“Cassie, please,” he didn’t have the right to call me that anymore.

He stopped knocking, there was a long silence. I waited for him to leave but he started talking, his voice was filled with regret and pain.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I know you’re never going to forgive my family and I. I wanted to tell you but I was scared, I was scared to lose you after growing so attached to you. I messed up, I’m no better than your exes.”
He paused for some seconds.

“I’m sorry, Cassie.”
Oh my God, he was crying.

The only time I saw him cry was when he saw those baby clothes and when he told me about Fiona.

“You were right, I don’t deserve to be happy, I don’t deserve your forgiveness, I don’t deserve you. I only ruin lives, you’re never going to be happy with a psycho like me. I wish I treated you better than your exes, I guess I failed. You are more than what you think you are to me, Cassie.”

I felt tears in my eyes, I was an emotional mess. The vegetables I cut earlier must have been mixed with onion.

“Your family wants you back, it was my fault you got kicked out, I ruined your life. I didn’t think of the consequences….”

I stood up and ran to the bathroom, I didn’t want to hear more.
The tears rolled down my cheeks before I could stop them, I turned on the shower and sat under it.

I cried as the water sprinkled on my skin.

I missed him so much, I wanted to go out there and see him. I wanted to hug him and feel his arms around me but I couldn’t.

I stayed under the shower for almost an hour, I decided to take a bath. When I came out, I didn’t hear his voice again, he was gone.

I dressed up for bed and buried myself under the covers, I stayed up for some hours before finally getting some sleep.

∆
I woke up past nine in the morning, I left the room after brushing my teeth and rinsing my face.
I was surprised to see Adrian at the dining eating, he should be at work.

“I knocked but you didn’t answer, I assumed you were still sleeping.”
He smiled at me as I took the seat in front of him.

“Aren’t you going to work today?”

“I am, but I’m leaving here by twelve.”

“Oh.”

He left and brought me something to eat.

“Thanks.”
I muttered.

“He promised not to tell anyone.”
Adrian suddenly said.

I nodded and continued eating, we watched a movie together on HBO before he left.

I laid back on the couch searching for something to watch, I paused when I saw my parents on tv.

My mom was in full tears, they were being interviewed in the house. I knew that from the home decor in the living room.

“….we miss her so much, it wasn’t our fault. If we knew that bastard was lying then….”
I turned off the tv and huffed.

I went back to my room and stayed under the covers.

I couldn’t stay here forever, my online classes resumed last week but I had no money to pay.
All the plans in my head didn’t make any sense mainly because I was broke.

I closed my eyes and allowed my mind to relax.

“Think Chloe.”
I gr0×ned.

∆
6 pm I dragged myself to the kitchen to make dinner for Adrian. I played loud music to distract myself from thinking about Tristan in the kitchen with me.

He arrived an hour later, he looked impressed which made me glare at him.

He laughed as he left to freshen up, I had everything on the dining table before he came down.

“I should be the one doing this.”
He said as he took a seat.

“No, you’ve been the one doing the cooking, now it’s on me.”

“Is your birthday, I should be the one to make you dinner.”

“My birthday? Sorry, what is today’s date?”

“August 12th.”

I gasped, I totally forgot my birthday.

“You forgot?”
He looked surprised.

“Yeah.”
I said laughing, he joined in.

He stood up and returned with a cake, when did he buy that? How come I didn’t see it.

He started singing, I laughed so hærd that tears gathered in my eyes.
I blew the single candle in the middle and he clapped.

This wasn’t how I planned on celebrating my 21st birthday, I had never had a big birthday party, it was always my family and me.

But celebrating it like this with Adrian was memorable.

“How did you know?”

“Your parents announced it on tv.”
I rolled my eyes at the mention of my parents.

“Here is my gift to you.”
He dropped a small box in front of me.

I picked it and opened it, it was a credit card.

“I didn’t know what to get you in particular, so do all the shopping you want with the card.”

Would it be rude for me to ask how much was in it.

“Thank you.”
I said with a pout, his phone rang when he opened his mouth to say something.

“Excuse me, I will be right back.”
He picked the phone and left.

He returned a few minutes later with a weird expression on his face.

“It’s Tristan, he wants to wish you a happy birthday.”
I nodded.

“He is drunk.”
He warned me before putting the call on speaker.

“Cassie?”

“I’m here,” I said sounding annoyed.

He exhaled in relief.

“Happy Birthday Cassie, if you were still here I would have thrown you the biggest party, it’s my fault you didn’t get to celebrate it with your family or the way you wanted, I’m so sorry.”
He slurred.

“I hope you find someone who makes you happy, someone who won’t be an asshole to you, someone whose goal is to make you the happiest person every day, stay safe Cassie.”
He ended the call.

I bit my tears back, Adrian didn’t say anything. We sat in silence, different thoughts were running through my head, I tried not to let it control me.

“Drinks?”
Adrian asked and I nodded.

“Since it’s your birthday, I will let you drink.”
I smiled. If only he knew the truth.

We moved to the living room and sat on the floor, we kept drinking until we were too drunk to stand on our feet.

I slept off on him saying something I myself didn’t understand.

∆
I woke up in my bed, I saw some painkillers and a bottle of water on my nightstand, I took it and went for a bath.

It was past one in the afternoon, I spent the rest of the day making one decision.

I was twenty-one now, twenty years have taught me a lot, it was time to make the right choice, time to fix my life, time to start over again.

I skipped dinner telling Adrian I was not hungry.

I made my decision.

I woke up very early the next day and made breakfast.

Adrian came down on a dark two-piece suit, he looked surprised seeing me.

“You are awake.”

“Yup!”

I watched him as he ate his scrambled eggs and pancakes.

“I’m leaving.”
I announced, he almost choked on the coffee he was sipping.

“Sorry.”
We both said at the same time.

“You are leaving?”

“Yeah, I have made my decision, I think I know what I want now.”
I said with a soft smile.

“When?”

“Today.”
His face fell.

“And you’re just telling me?”
He leaned back on his seat with a scold on his face.

“Sorry, it was last night.”

“Are you going back to your family?”

“No.”

“Tris….”

“No.”
I said before he could say the name fully.

“Then where?”
I just smiled.

“Chloe?”

“Relax, I will be close by.”

“Are you leaving town?”
“Sadly, no.”
He sighed in relief.
“Can you lend me some cash? I will pay you back once I get a job.”
“Yeah but don’t pay it back.”
“I want to, I will pay every penny back. I owe you a lot after everything you’ve done for me.”
“It’s nothing big, Chloe. We are friends, friends look out for each other.”
“Thanks but I’m still paying you back.”
“Do you need a ride?”
“No, I will take a cab to get my things.”
“If you don’t want to go there, I can get them for you.”
“It’s fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yesssss, eat up.”
“Yes, mom.”
I kicked him from under the table.
He wrote me a cheque, we spoke for a while before he left.
I took my bath and got ready to leave, the cab driver kept staring at me from the rearview mirror.
“Do you mind? I didn’t pay for you to stare at me like a creep.”
“Sorry, you look like the missing girl.”
“Ohh, I get that a lot.”
I said and looked outside the window.
My heart raced when the car stopped in front of Tristan’s mansion.
I told the driver to wait while I get my things.
Morris looked like he saw a ghost when he opened the door.
“Hi, Morris.”
“Miss, Simpson? You came back!”
It was the first time I was seeing him so happy.
“Actually, I came to….get…um….my stuff.”
“Ohh.”
The smile on his fell.
“Sorry.”
I gave him a hug.
“Please don’t leave him.”
He begged me when I pulled away.
“I’m sorry.”
I said again and headed for the stairs.
“He was a very good man, kind, loving and cared for everyone around him. What Fiona’s family did to him, ruined him. I wish you met him when he was so different, do whatever your heart desires Ms. Simpson.”
He said to me.
I took a deep breath and climbed the stairs. Nothing anyone says was going to change my mind, I deserve a little happiness too and I won’t get that happiness around Tristan or my family.
I took a glance at his room as I walked to my old room, memories of everything we did together, every fight, every funny moment, every tear, they clouded my brain.
I saw a few of Tristan’s belongings in the room.
“He has been sleeping here since you left.”
I heard Morris’s voice from behind me.
“He really loves you, Chloe.” Wait, did he just call me Chloe? First time ever!
“Please help me with my boxes,” I said instead.
He looked disappointed.
I packed everything I owned and allowed Morris to help take them to the car.
I stared at the door to Tristan’s room, was he home? Won’t he come out and see me?
I wanted to see him for the last time, just a glance.
I shook my head and left, I apologized to Morris again before entering the car.
I needed this break, my heart needed it.
I stared at the glass mansion as the car moved, I saw him, I saw Tristan, he was staring at me from my room, the room I just left. Was he there since I came?
I looked away and leaned back on the seat.
This was it, time for a fresh start, a new beginning.
No family.
No exes.

END OF PART ONE OF LIE IN THE CHURCH!!!
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