Chapter 55
ROSALIE
42%
I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands resting in my lap, staring at the blank wall in front of me. The house was too quiet, almost like it was mocking me with its stillness. The silence wasn’t comforting. It was oppressive, wrapping around me like a heavy blanket I couldn’t shake off. Every second I spent in this place felt like I was sinking deeper into some endless void. My thoughts were loud, intrusive, and no matter how much I tried to push them away, they always came back.
My reputation was gone, reduced to the laughingstock of the internet. That stupid video from Damien’s party had spread like wildfire, and with it, a flood of nasty comments that refused to leave my mind. People I didn’t even know mocked me, judged me, and painted a picture of me that wasn’t true. I wasn’t that girl. I wasn’t the fool they were portraying me to be. And yet, the more I tried to convince myself of that, the harder it was to believe.
And Damien? He wasn’t making anything easier. He was barely around. The few times he was home, he stayed distant, buried in his own world of anger and frustration. It was like living with a ghost–a cold, unfeeling ghost who’d rather haunt the halls than acknowledge I was standing right there. Was this even a marriage anymore? I didn’t know. I didn’t know much of anything anymore.
The air in the room felt too thick to breathe. I had to get out. I had to do something–anything–to feel normal again. Sitting here was killing me slowly, and if I didn’t step outside soon, I was afraid I’d drown in my own thoughts.
I stood and walked to the mirror. My reflection startled me. I looked like a stranger. My hair was tangled, my eyes puffy and red from crying, and my skin was pale and dull. I barely recognized the person staring back at me.
“Pull yourself together, Rosalie,” I whispered to the woman in the mirror. My voice was hoarse, my throat tight, but I kept speaking. “You can’t let this destroy you.”
I took a deep breath and forced myself into the shower. The warm water rushed over me, washing away the physical remnants of the tears and the sleepless nights, even if it couldn’t touch the weight inside me. When I stepped out, I felt a little lighter. Not much, but enough to function.
I dressed quickly, pulling on a pair of jeans and a simple sweater. Nothing fancy, nothing that screamed for attention. I wasn’t going out to impress anyone. I just needed to breathe. I grabbed my flats and slipped them on, grabbing my bag on the way out.
When I reached the kitchen, Margaret and Maria were busy with the day’s chores. They looked up when they saw me, surprise flickering across their faces.
“Mrs. Hale,” Margaret said softly, her tone laced with concern. “Is everything alright?”
“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. “I just need to step out for a bit. I’m going to the mall nearby. If Damien asks, just let him know, okay?”
Margaret frowned slightly, her gaze flicking to Maria, who looked equally concerned. “Are you sure it’s safe to go out alone? Things have been… tense lately.”
“I’ll be fine,” I assured them quickly. “It’s not far, and I won’t be long.”
They didn’t argue further, though I could feel their worry as I walked out the door. For the first time in what felt like forever, the fresh air hit my face, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. It felt good, freeing, to be outside.
The walk to the mini mall wasn’t long, but I took my time. I let myself soak in the ordinary sights around me–cars passing by, the distant chatter of people, the occasional bark of a dog. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
14:33 Tue, 18 Feb
Chapter 55
M
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+5
When I arrived at the mall, I wandered aimlessly. I wasn’t there to shop. I just needed to be out of my own head for a little while. I stopped in front of a display of flowers, their bright colors catching my eye. For a brief moment, I felt a small flicker of something I hadn’t felt in days–happiness, maybe? Or just a sense of normalcy.
“Excuse me,” a voice said behind me, breaking through my thoughts.
I turned to see a man standing there, smiling politely. He looked about my age, with a friendly face and kind eyes.
“Do you know where the pharmacy is?” he asked.
“Oh,” I said, caught off guard. “Um, it’s on the other side of the mall, near the entrance.”
“Thanks,” he said, then hesitated. “Are you from around here? You don’t look like someone I’ve seen before.”
I let out a small laugh, though it felt strange to do so. “I don’t get out much.”
“Well, that’s a shame,” he said, his smile widening. “It’s rare to meet someone who actually stops to help. My name’s Eric.”
“Rosalie,” I said automatically.
“Rosalie,” he repeated, like he was testing how it sounded. “That’s a beautiful name. Do you live nearby?”
I nodded, keeping my answers short. I wasn’t in the mood for a long conversation, but he seemed harmless enough.
“I was just heading to grab a quick bite before I’d go to the pharmacy,” he said casually. “There’s a little café nearby. Would you like to join me? My treat.”
I froze, realizing where this was heading. Slowly, I held up my hand, letting my wedding ring catch the light. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m married.”
His face fell, embarrassment replacing his friendly expression. “Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep. I just thought you seemed like someone who could use a break.”
“It’s fine,” I said quickly, not wanting to make things awkward. “Thank you, though.”
He nodded and stepped back. “Well, I didn’t mean to bother you. Have a good day, Rosalie.”
Before I could reply, I felt a familiar presence behind me. A chill ran down my spine as I turned slowly.
Damien was standing there, his eyes dark and furious. His jaw was clenched tight, and his hands were balled into fists at his sides. He didn’t have to say a word; his expression spoke volumes.
“Damien…” I started, my voice trembling.
“What the hell is going on here?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
His gaze flicked to Eric, who looked like he wanted to disappear. The air around us felt charged, heavy with tension.
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I had no idea how to explain this in a way that wouldn’t make things
worse.
7 14:33 Tue, 18 Feb OM
Chapter 55
42%
11
When I arrived at the mall, I wandered aimlessly. I wasn’t there to shop. I just needed to be out of my own head for a little while. I stopped in front of a display of flowers, their bright colors catching my eye. For a brief moment, I felt a small flicker of something I hadn’t felt in days–happiness, maybe? Or just a sense of normalcy.
“Excuse me,” a voice said behind me, breaking through my thoughts.
I turned to see a man standing there, smiling politely. He looked about my age, with a friendly face and kind eyes.
“Do you know where the pharmacy is?” he asked.
“Oh,” I said, caught off guard. “Um, it’s on the other side of the mall, near the entrance.”
“Thanks,” he said, then hesitated. “Are you from around here? You don’t look like someone I’ve seen before.”
I let out a small laugh, though it felt strange to do so. “I don’t get out much.”
“Well, that’s a shame,” he said, his smile widening. “It’s rare to meet someone who actually stops to help. My name’s Eric.”
“Rosalie,” I said automatically.
“Rosalie,” he repeated, like he was testing how it sounded. “That’s a beautiful name. Do you live nearby?”
I nodded, keeping my answers short. I wasn’t in the mood for a long conversation, but he seemed harmless enough.
“I was just heading to grab a quick bite before I’d go to the pharmacy,” he said casually. “There’s a little café nearby. Would you like to join me? My treat.”
1 froze, realizing where this was heading. Slowly, I held up my hand, letting my wedding ring catch the light. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m married.”
His face fell, embarrassment replacing his friendly expression. “Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep. I just thought you seemed like someone who could use a break.”
“It’s fine,” I said quickly, not wanting to make things awkward. “Thank you, though.”
He nodded and stepped back. “Well, I didn’t mean to bother you. Have a good day, Rosalie.”
Before I could reply, I felt a familiar presence behind me. A chill ran down my spine as I turned slowly.
Damien was standing there, his eyes dark and furious. His jaw was clenched tight, and his hands were balled into fists at his sides. He didn’t have to say a word; his expression spoke volumes.
“Damien…” I started, my voice trembling.
“What the hell is going on here?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
His gaze flicked to Eric, who looked like he wanted to disappear. The air around us felt charged, heavy with tension.
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I had no idea how to explain this in a way that wouldn’t make things
worse.
M
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Chapter 56
