the TRIANGLE RULER

PROLOGUE

Harper's [POV]

Tears blur my vision, hot shame pouring down my cheeks as I turn off the freeway.

Despite crying, I find my exit. My left cheek burns as I drive into the night, the navigation on my phone guiding me to the one place I can escape.

Away from him.

A few miles away, the town of Aurora waits for me, buried in the lush woods of the northwest, tucked away in a corner of paradise.

I probably shouldn’t have driven in the middle of the night, spurred by my emotions.

But at least I made it here in one piece.

I booked a stay at the Aurora Inn, fueled by fear and betrayal that pierces my chest.

Most people come for a vacation.

I’m visiting out of desperation.

He says I’ve been here before, and that I hated it. We went together a while back, and I vowed to never return.

I don’t believe him for one fucking second.

This is why, after his hand slapped my face, quick and deadly, I booked my trip on a whim, my hands shook as I used my laptop to make a reservation.

Hours earlier, he had been sobbing, begging for forgiveness behind the locked door of the bedroom as my mind went on autopilot.

With four grand drained from my bank account, I have a weeklong stay at Aurora Inn.

I don’t regret it. It’s long overdue.

But I can’t stop the hiccupping sobs as I drive.

I deserve this, I try to remind myself through the tears.

I deserve a week to figure out my life and to enjoy what others would kill for.