Page 20 of Keeping Skylar (Fractured Hearts #1)

I wait a few minutes to steady myself before quietly closing the door behind me. As I turn around, I notice the house is cloaked in darkness, save for the faint glow of the rangehood light above the stove. The stillness feels unsettling, like the calm before a storm.

Taking a deep breath, I head towards the bedrooms. That’s when I hear it—solid wood thudding heavily against a surface, followed by the unmistakable sound of muffled groans and grunts.

My heart pounds violently in my chest as I slowly approach the room where the sounds are coming from—Kaden’s study. The door is slightly ajar, and I hesitate, peering through the crack, careful to stay hidden from view. From where I stand, I can make out just enough to see what’s unfolding inside.

Instantly, my stomach curdles at the sight before me.

Lucia is sprawled on her back on Kaden’s desk, her legs draped over his shoulders as he thrusts hard into her with one brutal force after another.

They’re completely naked, sweat dripping off their skin, a clear giveaway they’ve been fucking for some time or multiple times. Oh my God!

As if on instinct, my hand moves to my phone, and I quickly snap a photo of their betrayal before I can talk myself out of it.

I’m not sure why, but something deep inside tells me this photo will serve a purpose one day, even if right now it feels like I’m in the middle of my worst nightmare.

Lucia’s loud moan snaps me back to reality, and I stumble away from the door, my back hitting the wall with a soft thud. My chest tightens, throat closing in as I struggle to take in air.

“Oh, God. Yes, just like that, baby! Harder!” Lucia screams. The violent force of Kaden’s thrusts causes the solid oak desk to creak and thud with each movement, echoing through the otherwise quiet house.

“Fuck, you look so sexy!” Kaden groans. “Play with your clit, baby. I want to feel you coming on my cock.” He grunts loudly.

Lucia’s moans have gotten so loud, it’s near deafening. I have to clamp a hand over my mouth to keep myself from both screaming and throwing up at the same time.

Seeing them together like this is the last straw, the final, crushing blow that shatters any hope of reconciliation or civility between Kaden and me. I will never forgive either of them for as long as I live.

The walls suddenly feel like they’re closing in, suffocating and crushing me from the inside. I need air. I need to get the fuck out, now!

So, I do the only thing I can. I run. I flee from the horrific sounds and sight, from the two people who’ve caused me unspeakable pain, and from the one place that no longer feels like home.

Once I’m outside, I sprint to the end of the street, adrenaline driving my legs as if they have a life of their own.

Tears glisten on my cheeks as I order an Uber, gulping in air like it’s the only thing keeping me upright. I pace the sidewalk, back and forth, desperate to erase the image of Kaden and Lucia fucking inside my home.

Five minutes later, my Uber car arrives and I quickly rush to get inside, ignoring the driver’s curious glare. “I’m safe now. I’m finally safe,” I whisper, not giving a shit if the driver sees me talking to myself.

My mind is in complete turmoil, even as I inch further away from the house. In a single night, Kaden and Lucia have managed to obliterate my spirit and torn my world apart, leaving nothing but devastation in their wake.

I can’t believe he brought her back to our house. I can’t believe I saw it with my own eyes. If I hadn’t come home early, I would’ve never known. They crossed every fucking line tonight—and now, there’s no coming back from it.

Moments later, the car pulls up at my destination. I don’t wait—I fling the door open and run towards the one person who’s always felt like home. My best friend. Kirstin.

The second Kirstin opens the door, I throw myself into her arms, sobbing hysterically. Without saying a word, she carefully guides me to her couch, where we sit in silence, holding each other as I cry in pain.

She gives me all the time I need—never rushing me, never asking questions. Eventually, my tears slow, and the trembling in my body subsides. I pull back and wipe away the last of my tears, knowing this will be the last time I cry over either of them.

Kirstin’s expression radiates genuine empathy—like she’s absorbing every ounce of my pain, her heart breaking alongside mine. She comforts me in the only way she knows how: by sitting patiently, waiting for me to find the strength to speak.

“I saw them.” My voice comes out as a hoarse whisper, heavy with anguish. “In my house of all places! I fucking saw them!”

Kirstin lets out a heavy exhale as she gently strokes my bicep, her silence encouraging me to keep going.

“He was having sex with her in his study, without a care for who might hear or walk in on them. Do I mean so little to him that he would bring her back to our home?” I sob, my voice strained and raw from crying.

Kirstin pulls me close once more, wrapping me in her gentle embrace. “God! I’m so, so sorry, hon,” she murmurs into my hair. “I could just kill them for doing this to you. You don’t deserve any of this. What can I do to help ease your pain?”

I sink slowly back onto the couch as Kirstin hands me a tissue.

I thank her quietly, dabbing at my cheeks before blowing my nose.

“Having you here with me is helping a lot. Would it be alright if I stay the night? Until I can figure out what to do next. I just don’t know if I can go back there right now. It’s still too raw,” I choke out.

She takes my hands and holds them in hers. “Honey, you can stay here for as long as you need to, okay.”

I nod and give her a weak smile. “Honestly, I don’t think I can go back to him after tonight. Just the thought of him makes my skin crawl. I might have to leave here sooner than I planned.”

“You want to leave now?” Kirstin asks, her face clouding with confusion.

“I’m thinking of leaving tomorrow while Kaden’s at work.”

“Will that be enough time for you to pack everything? Didn’t you mention that your apartment won’t be ready for another week or so?”

“I’ve got enough savings to pay for a hotel until the apartment is ready. As for packing, I’ll only be bringing the essentials such as clothes, shoes, bags, important documents, and other things I don’t share with Kaden. Anything that can’t fit in my car, will stay behind.”

“Wow, did you just come up with that on the spot?”

I nod. “I did. And it makes sense. I’m ready to go. I’ve got my own place and a job waiting for me. Staying here is just delaying the inevitable. But I’d need your help, if I want to get out of the house before Kaden returns home tomorrow.”

“Babe, you know I’m always here to help.”

“I’m glad to hear that, because there’s one last favour I need to ask you.”

“What is it?”

We spend the next hour mapping out a solid plan for how tomorrow will unfold.

Kirstin and I run through it again with Mila over the phone, who’s also offered to help. Once the plan is firmly etched in our memory, we decide to wrap things up for the night. The last thing left to do is send Kaden a quick text before heading to bed.

Me: Hey, just letting you know I won’t be coming home tonight.

We all got a little too drunk and didn’t feel safe going home in an Uber by ourselves.

I didn’t want to bother you because I know you have an early start tomorrow, so, I’m just going to crash at Kirstin’s tonight.

I’ll be home first thing in the morning : )

Fifteen minutes later, I receive a text from him.

Kaden: Babe, I hope this doesn’t become a recurring thing. You know how I feel about you staying out all night. But since I care about your safety, I’ll let tonight slide. Take it easy at Kirstin’s, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams xoxo

Sweet dreams to you, arsehole!