AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She opens her mouth to say no but pauses and swallows heavily. “Maybe just some soup if that’s okay?”
I smile and shove my chair back. I don’t give a shit what she eats. She could ask for lobster for three square meals a day and I’d make it happen as long as she’s eating something.
I pull open the fridge and spot the soups I had delivered this morning while she was showering. It’s the only thing I’ve been able to get her to eat since she came home, so I bought every type I could from the local health food store. I don’t normally buy into that bullshit, but Doc said she needs to be eating nutrient-dense foods, and I’m following his advice to the goddamn letter.
I tip a chicken noodle soup container into a saucepan and light the stove to warm it, all the while aware of Mia’s eyes on me.
“Do you want some toast?” I ask without looking at her.
There’s a long pause again, but I give her the time to think it through. It’s more than a little encouraging that she’s thinking about it at all considering she’s answered before I’ve even finished my sentence on every other occasion.
“Yes, please.”
I let out a relieved breath but don’t turn to her. I have limited experience dealing with people in general, but I know this is something Mia would be self-conscious about, and I don’t want to scare her off.
I put a piece of sourdough bread into the toaster and stir the soup until both are ready. I serve them up and carry them over to where Mia’s still sitting at her desk, chewing her bottom lip nervously.
Her eyes widen when she sees how big the bowl of soup is and swallows heavily.
I place them down in front of her and crouch down, placing both hands on her bare knees. “You don’t have to eat it all. Just eat what you can, okay?”
Her eyes dart to mine and holds them for long seconds before nodding. “Thank you.”
I force myself back to my desk and stare at the screen in front of me without turning back. If I watch her, she won’t eat at all. I have to give her space, even if every instinct in my body urges me to feed her myself to make sure she eats enough.
A notification pops up that drags my attention from the clinking of the spoon on porcelain, and the sight of Everett’s name makes me sigh. I’ve always been a lone wolf, always preferring to work alone because dealing with other people is my idea of a fucking nightmare, but I need his help. The rate at which Kyle is replacing the ads we take down is too much for just one person to manage, and I’m grateful for the help.
Everett: Three more ads went up this morning. I got them down at the point of nine viewers.
Ace: Thanks, man.
Everett: I’ve been digging around in Kyle’s past and found some interesting shit. I’ll send it to you now.
A second later, an email pops up with a file attached. I scan the document, the photos of the cunt who stole my woman from me, who took her innocence even if it was indirectly. Most of it is shit I already knew from my own searches, but as I scroll, my eyes focus on a photo that makes me pause.
It’s a woman, a blonde with blue eyes and a sad smile. A woman that looks so much like Mia that I do a double take.
Angela Thompson
10.28.1990–06.10.2014
Married to Kyle Clark for two years.
Prior to this, owned by Angelo Russo and Cyrus Kemp.
Died by suicide.
Each word etches its way under my skin, and suddenly things start making sense.
Another image on the next page makes me suck in a breath. Another woman who looks too much like the one sitting across the room from me.
Denise Potts
02.10.1991–04.29.2011
Married to Kyle Clark for eighteen months.
Prior to this, owned by Cyrus Kemp and Robert Langley.
