Page 141 of Chandelier Enthralled
But it all seemed innocent, with no hints of the great story Greyson had teased me about.
Every room was filled with traces of his life—an old book left open, a chair slightly pulled out, everything frozen in time, as if the house itself was holding its breath.
Made me wonder if Amelia had spent time here.
In the kitchen, I couldn’t resist peeking in his cupboard, finding it well-stocked and filled with an assortment of choices.
The fridge hummed quietly, a lonely sound in a house where he ate alone. To be honest, the sadness was stifling. It was hard knowing Greyson was upstairs asleep while I was down here pining for the man who saw me as his friend’s baby sister.
I unlocked the door to the backyard and was hit with a burst of cooler evening air.
Stepping outside, I made my way toward the pool, soft grass beneath my feet. At the pool’s edge, I peered down and admired the exquisite blue tile beneath the shimmering water.
I felt a rush of grief for that poor girl who’d drowned here, and glanced up at the bedroom windows to make sure Greyson didn’t see me. When I turned back to peer into the pool again, I envisioned Amelia floating in the water, imagined Greyson finding her lifeless. The agony of that moment and what came next, unimaginable, having to pull her out and try to resuscitate her.
Holding her dead body in his arms.
Then, having to call the authorities. Facing questions. Making statements. Second guessing yourself as to whether you’d done enough to try to prevent it.
Wondering what had really happened that night.
The faint scent of flowers enveloped me, as if Amelia’s perfume wafted through the air like her essence had never left.
The pool was the centerpiece of this house, but now he probably hated the way it reminded him of her last night.
My heart heavy, I sat down and hiked my dress up my thighs, lowering my legs into the warm water, a welcome sensation on my calves.
Still…
The unspeakable horror of it was too monstrous to carry. I imagined Amelia taking her last breath, the truth slipping from her lips like an unanswered prayer, a silent cry to live. I wondered if she’d called out Greyson’s name. The weight of these dark thoughts pressed on my chest, so heavy I could barely breathe.
Life was heartbreakingly fragile.
Making the most of every second was the only way to live.
I pushed up and shimmied out of my gown, peeling off my bra and panties and throwing them onto the discarded dress, no doubt already stained by grass. I didn’t care, it was nothing, and I craved a midnight swim.
Naked now, I slid into the shallow end, submerging myself in the water. My hairstyle would be ruined, but I didn’t care. Resting on my back, I floated on the surface, trying to imagine what Amelia experienced—as if repeating her last few minutes might reveal more.
I was surrounded by a serene stillness, broken only by the gentle lapping of water and the soft whispers of nature—a hoot of an owl, a breeze stirring the fronds of the palm trees.
I lay still on the surface, as though, somehow, I could connect with Amelia.
“Willa!”
My breath stilted…
I raised my head and gasped at the sight of Greyson storming across the lawn towards me in only his pajamas, his expression fraught, as though no words could capture the enormity of his pain. He approached with terrifying speed, the air thick with his fury, and before I could grasp the gravity of the moment, he dived in with a splash.
I swam backwards, kicking my legs uselessly, trying to get to the side of the pool, the water resisting my efforts.
He resurfaced in the center, droplets cascading from his hair, a fierce glint of horror, raw and unmasked, in his eyes.
I’d unleashed something within him that was dark and unfathomable. Reflected in his eyes was his response to my careless indulgence. The silence between us dragged out his anguish. He shook his head to clear the water from his eyes.
I turned to go, pushing against gravity, against pressure, trying to think of what to say to placate him.
I glanced back over my shoulder. Moonlight filtered through the blue sheen of water, and I saw he was gone.
