Her kids, a son, aged five, and a daughter, aged three, are now living with Scott’s parents. All this time they had looked for him. They were beside themselves with grief when they learned what the babysitter had been doing to him, and more sickened to learn their son turned into a monster. I met his parents briefly outside the court. Both were apologetic on behalf of their son and wished me a full and happy life. I grieved for them. I grieved for what could have been and what they had lost. But they had their grandchildren to care for now, who, I was informed, are thriving and doing well thanks to my uncle who looked into it. Most monsters are made, not born. Scott was made, not by his parents’ hand but by his own. His own choices wreaked havoc on those around him, those he came into contact with.

  All of that is behind me.

  For eight weeks since the fire I have trained. My library is due to reopen any day now, but I don’t waste my time sitting around and dwelling. I use it to train. I don’t want to be in a position like that again, where I can’t protect my loved ones. Instead, I hung off her back using the only weapon at my disposal.

  Not anymore.

  Not now.

  Hand in hand, Drew and I walk into the room where we are to teach our first self-defence class. Tears gather in my eyes as I take in the occupants of the room. Men and women stand before us, some looking ready to bolt, some wary and scared.

  Drew looks as taken aback as I do, but he straightens his stance and expression, not losing focus on the task at hand.

  Up front, standing strong and proud, are Madison, Hayden, Nora, Olivia, Harriet, Gabby and Emily. Beside them is April and Amber. I give them a smile and a wave, and the small gesture seems to make them relax.

  I know from Landon—who told us before we came in—the women Drew’s dad had located and Landon had gone to speak to, are inside this room. I’m not sure who is who or what their stories are, but it warms my heart to know they are here. I also know one of the women who stands amongst them is the sister of the girl who had killed herself because of Scott and his wife.

  These people have had their own trauma, and their own story to tell.

  They have fears and triggers.

  However, the moment they walked through those doors, was a step they took to heal. It was the first step I took to heal.

  My shoulders shake with silent tears. He did it. Drew really did it.

  Hayden takes a step toward me but Drew blocks her view, standing in front of me. “If you can’t do this, I can get someone else in to help me. It will be okay.”

  “You did it,” I whisper hoarsely.

  Realisation dawns and he runs his hands down my arms. “We did it.”

  I nod, stepping a little closer, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from him. “Together.”

  He leans down, kissing the tip of my nose. “Together.”

  When he turns to the class, his expression remains calm, soft, but there’s an authority there that wasn’t before. “Welcome, and thank you for joining us,” he greets.

  My eyes still glassy with tears, I watch as every single person in the room hangs on to his every word. They take it all in, all moved and touched by his wisdom. Some even stand straighter, stronger, and I can’t control the storm of emotions within.

  I turn and observe him, my stomach fluttering. He’s like an avenging vigilante, someone who looks out for those who need it.

  And he is mine.

  I am his.

  He didn’t save me. He helped me save myself. And all these people are going to experience the same.

  I don’t need a dream to make things happen. Not any longer. Dreams are always good to make, fulfilling to achieve.

  But I don’t need to anymore. I don’t need another wish or dream. I don’t need to reach for one. For he is standing right next to me. Broad, tall, and powerful.

  And his hand is wide open for me to take.

  Sometimes, the reality is better than the dream.

  Happiness and love weigh far greater when you aren’t pushing for it. And my love for him outweighs us both, but it doesn’t pin me down; it doesn’t suffocate me.

  Because I’m free-falling.

  Free-falling into a life filled with much more than my dreams could ever have imagined.

  And we have only just begun.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT’S

  Writing this book has felt like an obstacle I had to go through. It had been in the works since the very beginning, since the very first word I typed out during Faith. It has taken a long time to get to this book, to her story, and it was worth the wait.

  Each word, every minute or hour that passed while writing Charlotte’s story, felt like an achievement I never thought I’d reach—an obstacle I’d never complete.

  But I did it.

  And she’s here, and I couldn’t be prouder.

  Although her story is in no way a reflection of mine, there are parts of Charlotte that are me, and writing her story became my dream.

  For me, her character has always been this loving, funny, caring and naïve young woman. And I hope I gave that to you whilst building on her character. I hope I gave justice to a story so many women can identify with.

  ‘No’ is a two-lettered word.

  Two.

  But it has a far greater meaning. It’s an entire sentence.

  And when you say no, it means no.

  Charlotte was written through grief, tears, laughter and through health issues I’ve been fighting. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, but all were worth it to get to this. And I never could have done it without the constant support from my readers/ readers group. I wish I could name every single one of you. All those who have private messaged me or even posted in the group. Whether you are new or have been there from the start, your support has kept me going. Even without mentioning names, I hope you know this applies to you. All of you.

  This book is for you, and for every single one of you who continue to read this series, who make it thrive and keep going.

  I’d like to say a special thank you to my beta readers. They have been so, so, so supportive whilst patiently waiting for me to finish this book. The constructive feedback has been nothing but welcome. Your praise and love have given me strength when I really needed it.

  You guys are awesome, and it’s been an honour working with you.

  To my children, Paige, Ellie, and McKenzie, and to our new family members, Nadia and Lina: THANK YOU! Thank you for giving me the time to finish this book. For lifting me up when I felt like a failure for not being able to work. For not hating me when I was working and got lost in the story. I swear, I never purposely ignored you.

  Thank you for all your uplifting support.

  To Stephanie, my friend, my editor, and my alibi if I ever need one: Thank you. I know I have given you a lot of work this past year and you’re probably cursing me to stop. LOL. Thank you for understanding my characters, my vision, and for being a rock when I needed it.

  Working and learning from you never gets old. Or boring. Never boring. But I guess not everyone needs to hear about our random conversations.

  Thank you for being you.

  And once again to my readers: thank you for loving this series as much as I do writing it.

  If you enjoyed Charlotte, please share your love and thoughts by sharing and reviewing on the appropriate platforms.

  I love hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

  And if you haven’t guessed from Charlotte’s story, a new series is coming.

  One I think you are all going to enjoy.

  To keep up to date with what’s happening next, please feel free to join my readers group: Lisa’s Luscious Readers.

  Books by Lisa Helen Gray

  A Carter Brother Series

  Malik – Book One (New edited version out now)

  Mason – Book Two (Newly written and edited version, coming soon)

  Myles – Book Three

  Evan – Book 3.5

  Max – Book Four

  Maverick – Book Five

  A Next Generation Carter Brother Novel

  Faith – Book One

  Aiden – Book Two

  Landon – Book Three

  (Read Soul of My Soul next)

  Hayden – Book Four

  (Read Eye for an Eye here)

  Maddox – Book Five

  Charlotte – Book Six

  Take a Chance

  Soul of My Soul — Book One

  Eye for an Eye — Book Two

  I Wish

  If I Could I’d Wish it All Away

  Wishing for a Happily Ever After

  Forgotten Series

  Better Left Forgotten – Book One

  Obsession – Book Two

  Forgiven – Book Three

  (Newly written and edited versions coming soon)

  Whithall University

  Foul Play – Book One

  Game Over – Book Two

  Almost Free – Book Three

  Kingsley Academy

  Wrong Crowd – Book One

  Crowd of Lies – Book Two

 

 

  Lisa Helen Gray, Charlotte

 

 

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