Chapter 1: PROLOGUE
659 Words
Beyonce's [POV]
My eyes are clouded with tears, my cheeks ablaze with embarrassment as I veer off the highway. Despite my emotional state, I managed to take the correct exit. As I drive into the darkness, my left cheek throbs with pain.
The GPS on my phone points me towards my only refuge, the one place where I can flee from him. The town of Carina beckons me, hidden deep within the verdant woods of the Pacific Northwest, nestled in a secluded corner of utopia, just a few miles away.
Driving alone in the dead of night, my emotions guiding me towards an uncertain destination, I questioned my choices. But my determination kept me going, and I arrived safely at the White Raven's.
The sting of betrayal and fear still fresh in my heart propelled me to book a stay. While most guests come here for leisure, I was here out of despair.
He claimed that we had been here together before, but that I had hated it and vowed never to return. His words were lies, and I knew it. The memory of his hand striking my cheek, swift and brutal, was still vivid in my mind. Fueled by adrenaline, I hastily made a reservation on my laptop, my hands trembling with a mix of fear and anger.
His desperate sobs still echoed in my mind as I made my way to White Raven's. I had emptied my bank account to secure a week-long stay, convinced that I needed this escape.
Despite the tumultuous emotions that still gripped me, I refused to regret my decision. It was long overdue, and I deserved this. Even as my body shook with hiccupping sobs, I repeated this mantra to myself. I needed this time to piece my life back together, to find some semblance of peace.
As I drove through the town, I caught glimpses of quaint shops and charming restaurants, their lights casting a warm glow on the surrounding streets. I knew that I would find solace here. Just as my tears began to subside, my phone lost signal, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
As the satnav fizzled out, I found myself at the entrance of White Raven's, my heart racing with anticipation. Even in the darkness, the sight of the mansion took my breath away. The website photos didn't do justice to it.
The renovated Victorian structure was perched on a sprawling, well-treated field, framed by perfectly trimmed hedges and a wrought-iron gate. The delicate English windows on all four floors glowed with warm light, casting a soft glow on the cream walls and grey trim. It was more breathtaking than I could have ever imagined.
This was where I was meant to be. With a deep breath, I turned off my cell phone, determined to put the past behind me. I had restricted him from reaching me and gathered my necessities, ready to start anew. Even with the lack of signal, I didn't want to risk any calls from him. From now on, I didn't need my cell phone.
The automatic gates of White Raven's welcomed me with open arms as I followed the wooden sign towards the side of the mansion. The stunning view of the surrounding woods took my breath away, and I knew that this was the escape that I needed.
The gardens, a popular tourist attraction, were located nearby, and the website photos left me mesmerized. I couldn't wait to explore them in the daylight. Packing my suitcase had been a hasty affair, with me frantically throwing in whatever I could find. But if anything was missing, I knew that the nearby town was only minutes away.
Every step towards the enormous English double doors felt like a step towards freedom, a new chapter in my life. As I swung open the front door, my eyes were greeted with a beautifully furnished front room, and I felt like I was finally coming home.
- Writer
