Page 58 of Beauty & Chaos

It was his sick as fuck mind that created all his depraved fantasies. I was simply an innocent child with no one to protect me. No power to defend myself.

Until Sofia saved me.

My angel.

At Phillips Academy, when I met the guys, we eventually shared our stories, and the horror of what we went through with our fathers bonded us.

The weight off our individual shoulders a little lighter knowing we weren’t alone. That we had each other to understand, even if we didn’t say all that much.

We didn’t need to.

We all knew.

As we navigated our teenage years and we began to heal—due to being away from those monsters—things got messy.

People think healing looks like therapy and singing kumbaya surrounded by crystals and candles.

No, it doesn’t.

It looks like nightmares, screaming, and smashing away unwanted tears. It looks like an acknowledgment of the pain andwhat you’ve lost. It looks like staring your monster in the eyes and admitting he’s the devil and that he deserves a painful death.

It looks like getting up off the ground, brushing off the dust, and walking away knowing you’re a survivor, and that creating success far greater than that piece of shit is the best revenge. One he won’t be able to look at because he knows you’re a better person. That you always were.

That when his time comes, and he has to look himself in the mirror, he’ll see the devil inside him and feel the one thing I can’tmakehim feel.

Regret.

And in that moment, when he seeks my forgiveness, I will smile.

Then walk away.

Because everyone has a choice and he made his every single day. With every word, every touch, and every time he didn’t love me.

Parker and Travis have put their demons to bed.

Now it’s my turn.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

TRAVIS

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I’ve driven past Brook’s apartment building three times this week so far. I don’t like this feeling. I would prefer her to be in my bed, naked and pressed against my body.

I’ve never wanted to commit to a woman, and I don’t think that’s what this is. Brook not wanting a relationship just makes her a challenge.

That’s all this is.

I slow and watch the florist carry the orchid into her building and smil—

What the fuck?

Brooklyn and a man stand outside her building hugging.

Beep!

Horns start blaring.