EuropeNovelMy CEO 164
164 House of Horrors
(Winona)
The following week, we flew into my old city early this morning. I've never been back on this side of it since the
day | was taken to live with Anne. | didn't ever want to cback.
My hands are shaking. All ofis. The memories makewant to nightmare | lived here. Those moments
replay In my mind.
naway as fast as | can. The
The fear. The hunger. The pain. The loneliness. All the horrors are reawakened.
The house stands in front of me, the shouse | grew up in, but somehow different. It's still just as rundown |
remember, but there's a sense of care now-a small attempt at making it better. The windows are clean, the front
steps swept, and there are even a few potted plants by the door. It's like someone put a fresh coat of paint on a
sinking ship.
| hesitate, my hand hovering just above the doorknob. Part ofwants to walk right in, like | used to when | was
a kid, but | can't. Not now. Not after all these years. | have no clue who lives here.
Jayden stands beside me. His presence is comforting, but it also makesrealize just how far removed my life
is from this place now. The contrast between him, well us, and this neighborhood is glaring. "Are you okay?"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtJayden's voice is low, careful.
I nod, even though I'm not sure | am. "Yeah. | just... | don't know how to do this."
He takes a deep breath, his hand finding mine. "We do it together."
1 nod again, this tmore resolute. | can't just walk in. So, | knock
The sound echoes in the stillness of the morning, too loud in this quiet street. My heart pounds as we wait. It
feels like an eternity, but then | hear footsteps inside, and the door creaks open.
There she is my mother. The seyes | have. The sslim frand blonde hair.
The years are etched into her face, but she looks better than | remember. Better than | expected. There's no sign
of the strung out, hollow addict I left that day. Instead, she's dressed neat, clearly sober, and... surprised.
"Winona." Her voice is soft, barely above a whisper.
"Mom," | manage to say, my throat tight.
Tears rolled down her face. 1 never wanted you to cback here. | wanted you to go have a happy and safe
life. The life | could never give you."
For a moment, we just stood there, staring at each other.
"I never was coming back. But he.. Steve... toldhe left you here, pregnant. | had to cand see."
"Cin," she finally says, stepping aside.
Jayden and | exchange a glance before we step inside.
164 House of Horrors
+25 BONUS
The house is clean now but it's still the sold place The walls are painted white, the furniture sparse and
worn but it isn't what was here. Automatically my eyes go to the corner where my mattress used to
1. be.
The air smells faintly of something floral, it doesn't smell of stale beer and rotten food, or rats.
We sit in the living room on a well-worn couch. My mother sits across from us in a threadbare armchair, her
hands fidget in her lap.
"Is he...is he? Where is he?" she asks, her voice unsure. | can hear the fear in her voice. | recognize it. That's how
he used to makefeel.
"You have nothing to fear from him."
She nods.
"| just... | cto see you. To talk. I didn't think this house would still be here, let alone you." Definitely not a
sibling, but I hold off on saying that just in case she lost the baby or something.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
"l almost wasn't. When he went, | had nothing, no money, no food, and | was pregnant, yes."
| swallow, almost too scared to ask for any details.
"But, you got clean?"
"Cold turkey almost killed me. The neighbor called the ambulance. | had nothing at all. But | knew | had a
chance. A chance without him. | wanted that baby so bad. That's what gotthrough." "I'm so sorry, Mom. If I'd
have known..."
"No. You don't have to be sorry. You were out. | knew you'd do well. I'm sorry. Sorry you had to go through that
life. | never wanted you to cback here. Better to think | was dead."
"Let's not talk about it now. This is Jayden."
"Hello Jayden. I've seen you on TV sometimes,"
Jayden gives her a polite nod, his expression neutral. This place is Mars compared to the world he's used to. It's
got to be shocking the fuck out of him. But he's here, by my side, and that's all | need right now.
| swallow hard. "I didn't know what I'd find. He never said anything other than he left you here. She nods again,
understanding. "I tried to get clean after you left. | wanted to so bad. But he, well, you know how it was."
"Honestly, | didn't know how it was. I've only just realized he was keeping you on drugs, he was making money
off you." Tears fill my eyes.
"I've been sober since he left. But it's been hard, Winona. Real hard. But nothing as hard as it was being trapped
in my own body like | was."
"I'm glad you're better," | say, and | mean it. "I really
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