Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
The sound of the shattering clock echoed through the space.
The gears ground to a stop. Pieces of wood and glass splintered off in all directions. The delicate mechanisms that kept time ticking shattered and broke beyond repair.
We continued to fire, bullets thundering forward, striking, and battering the clock with all their might.
The pendulum swung wildly, like a wrecking ball slamming against the interior of the clock's wooden casing.
Where once the clock’s face was dignified beauty, now it was a twisted, mangled mess of metal, wood, and glass.
It stood like a skeleton.
Completely decimated and unrecognizable.
The numbers and hands decimated beyond recognition. The intricate carvings and decorations that once adorned the clock's wooden casing were now nothing more than a disarray of fragments and splinters, scattered across the floor like the aftermath of an explosion.
Then, the impossible happened.
It was some sort of miracle or display of great magic.
Tons and tons of images began to appear around us, glowing like hundreds of tiny movie screens no more than six inches long and wide.
Oh my god!
I shivered in disbelief.
The memories of our repeated moments burst alive, flooding the air with their beauty and brilliance.
“Maya!?” Ethan fired again. “Can you see that?”
“Y-yes!” I pulled the trigger again. “Keep shooting. I-I think it is working.”
Everywhere I looked, I could see us—the way we'd smiled at each other in his office the first time, the way his face had lit up when he saw me getting out of the limo, our stroll through the maze, the erotic moments shared in the library.
It has to be working!
The air was thick with emotion as these memories continued floating around us like a warm embrace—a reminder that our love was strong enough to withstand time itself.
I even smelled the scent of the fragrant water from our time in the bathtub. The sensory details were so real.
“Jesus!” Ethan unloaded his last bullet into the clock, lowered his gun, and gaped at some of the memories.
I looked at one with us making love on his bed. Our bodies moved in perfect harmony. The sound of our moans and groans rang through the air as if we were making love right there.
I lowered my gun too.
We did it. That. . .has to be what is going on.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as these moments were brought back to life, each vivid memory bursting around us like tiny fireworks.
I even tasted his tongue. It was the oddest and most beautiful experience to behold.
The space was alive with the energy of us.
Then, one by one, the images faded away.
My heart ached.
Ethan took my free hand and squeezed it. I leaned his way, needing his strength to anchor me.
Dust and debris settled in front of us. The grandfather clock remained that shattered and broken skeleton.
I slowly looked his way. “Do you. . .”
He widened his eyes.
I shivered. “Do you think we did it?”
“I do.”
My nerves flared. “How do you think we should check?”
“Perhaps, we see if we can drive away again?”
Terrified, I nodded. “Okay. Let's do it.”
We headed to the office door.
Ethan unlocked and opened it.
We stepped into the hallway.
Ethan paused. “This is odd.”
I gazed around. “Where are the candles?”
“And. . .” Ethan leaned his head to the side. “It's silent.”
“Yes.” I lowered my voice. “As if no one is here.”
What’s going on?
My heart hammered in my chest.
Ethan guided us in the direction of the door. “Whatever this is. We have definitely changed something.”
“God, I hope the change is good.”
“Me too.”
Anything could happen now. I wanted to end the time loop not do something catastrophic.
Now, I was terrified to see what was next.
We passed a room that usually was full of laughing elegant people. Now only silence hung in the air. And thick curtains covered the wall.
Uneasy, I continued forward. “The party is. . .over.”
“Or. . .it never existed here.”
“Here?”
“Since Aria made this clock, what if. . .we accidentally traveled back or forward in time?”
“Dear God.” Chills ran up my spine.
We continued.
On my right, the ballroom was empty.
I swallowed.
Ethan stopped us in front of the door. “Are you ready?”
“God no.”
“Whatever happens, never forget—”
“We're in this together.”
“Always.”
My bottom lip quivered. “And forever.”
He opened the door.
Oh shit.
The sun shined bright in the sky.
Birds sang off in the distance.
We stepped outside.
Far ahead of us, Jackson yawned and guided an elegant woman to her limo. He wore the same suit he always had on.
“My head.” Stumbling forward, the woman held her mask in her hand. “It rings and rings, Jackson.”
Her voice sounded familiar.
I remembered her face too.
Don't I know her?
“Wait.” Ethan's face brightened. “That's my mother.”
“Yes.” I bobbed my head. “She's wearing the gown from the party.”
“Dear God.” He blinked. “Is it tomorrow?”
I smiled. “It must be.”
Jackson opened the door for Ethan's mother.
Slowly, she climbed in.
We walked down the steps.
A cool breeze brushed against my skin.
Jackson closed the door, turned to us, and yawned.