Silenced Read Online Free Page A

Avery.
    Kristoff swallowed, renewed feelings resurfacing as he gazed at her beauty. His hopes were confirmed. The email was real. Willa Avery had returned from wherever it was that she had vanished.
    The one woman he had loved.
    The girl he had lost.
    .

Chapter 5
    “A ND WHERE HAVE you been, little Willow?" Gemma waited in the kitchen dressed in nothing but boxer shorts and a bra.
    Drew stood behind her as bacon crackled on the small stove.
    The smell turned Willa's stomach, making her cover her nose with her coat's sleeve. 
    Animal flesh. Disgusting.
    "Why do you care?"
    Gemma grinned, giving Drew a nudge. "She's always so moody."
    "I'm not moody." Willa rolled her eyes at Gemma, trying not to think about how much she envied her perfect body and beautiful blonde hair.
    No amount of magic could fix Willa’s thin frame. None that she wanted to dabble with that is.
    "I just assumed you wouldn't be back until after your holiday," Gemma said, licking a spatula of batter. "Who spends their holiday at home? Drew and I had plans. You’re lucky I’m wearing any clothes at all."
    “Hello, Willa,” Drew said, his eyes fixed on Willa’s bosom as she took off her coat when they should have been looking at his girlfriend.
    Gemma looked back at Drew and whispered. “She probably spent the last few nights with that pretty mixed girl. Doing whatever lesbians do when they’re alone.”
    Drew shot an interested look at Willa that made her roll her eyes in disgust.
    Willa's brows furrowed as she stalked to her bedroom at the back of the flat. She wished she had somewhere else to go. Her full-sized bed was neatly made, a stuffed bear gifted to her from her nieces on top of the lavender comforter.
    She pulled her vintage suitcase from under the bed. As she stuffed her favorite bag with essentials, she wondered where she would go. Anywhere would be better than being in the same breathing space as the roommate from hell and her ex-con, drug-dealing, chain-smoking, eyes-wandering boyfriend.
    Gemma knew how to pick a winner.
    An idea popped into her mind. She took out her cell phone and Skyped an old friend. 
    More than a friend, she called her cousin, Stephanie.
    "Holy hell. Is that you, Willa?"
    Willa grinned at Stephanie's charming Charleston accent. The one time Stephanie had visited her in England since moving to the states, all of the blokes loved her southern drawl. They’d never guess that Stephanie was born and raised in the English countryside.
    One hundred years ago.
    "It's me," Willa said. She peered closer at Stephanie's image on the screen. "You cut your hair!"
    "I did," Stephanie said, primping her short blonde bob. It made her small brown eyes look bigger. "I needed a change. After having the girls, I was desperate for a fresh new look. You're looking good. Pale ...but good."
    Laughing, Willa packed her highest pair of heels and zipped the suitcase closed. She didn't care if she forgot anything. It would be just another excuse to shop.
    "I'll be in town soon. I need a break. Could I stay with you and the girls? I haven't seen them in ages."
    "Of course! I just redid the sunroom. It's gorgeous this time of year. We need to catch up, girl. Just give me a holler when you find out when your flight lands. Kate, Chloe and I will scoop you up. You won't believe those two! Twelve going on twenty-two!"
    Willa nodded, already feeling much better. 
    "Thank you, Stephanie."
    "Anytime, love!"
    Willa glanced out her window. 
    The smell of something familiar caught her attention as she watched storm clouds glide across the sky outside her balcony window.
    She noticed something was different about her room. A plain, white envelope lay on her pillow.
    Reaching to open it, she heard Gemma let out a loud yelp from the other room. A thud that followed gave her a start.
    She froze at the sound of Gemma's wail of pain. 
    "You stupid slag,” Drew hissed through what sounded like clenched teeth. “Who have you been texting behind my