Unimaginable
Page 1
By Sophia Kenzie
Copyright © 2015 Hearts Collective
All rights reserved. This document may not be reproduced in any way without the expressed written consent of the author. The ideas, characters, and situations presented in this story are strictly fictional, and any unintentional likeness to real people or real situations is completely coincidental.
Also From Sophia Kenzie:
Blood of Cupids (The Blood of Cupids MC 1) by Sophia Kenzie
Betrayal of Cupids (The Blood of Cupids MC 2) by Sophia Kenzie
Death of Cupids (The Blood of Cupids MC 3) by Sophia Kenzie
Billionaire Badboy by Sophia Kenzie
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UNIMAGINABLE
by Sophia Kenzie
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHATPER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHATPER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
EPILOGUE
PROLOGUE
“Hey Evan! Get in here! Your girlfriend is on the TV.”
Evan peeked into the den, where his older brother had seemed to take up permanent residence.
“Darren, go home.” Evan kicked the back of the couch, hoping to give his brother a jolt.
“I can’t. I told you, Rachel kicked me out.”
Evan half-laughed as he spoke. “It’s your house. Don’t give me those sad puppy dog eyes as if you’re the victim.”
“Pre-nup, man. Don’t ever get married.” Darren crossed his arms in front of his chest, and then looked over his shoulder toward where Evan was lurking. “And if you do, don’t make the same mistake I did: make sure she actually signs the damn papers.”
“Get off my couch.” Evan swatted at his brother.
“Dude, stop swatting at me.” Darren took cover under a couch pillow, but then reticently pointed to the seventy-two inch mounted television above the fireplace. “Evan look; there she is.”
Darren’s pointed finger might have been hidden under the safety of the large pillow, but it didn’t matter; Evan didn’t need his direction. Standing there, on the steps of the courthouse, wearing a pair of fitted black pants and a dark purple sweater, was Megan Coulis. Coulis, like raspberry coulis. Evan just about laughed to himself—if he weren’t in a complete state of shock, he would have.
“Megan?”
A rush of excitement, fear, and heat filled his body. He hadn’t seen her, her face, in almost eleven years. He had thought about her, had dreamed about her, but the girl he saw in his head was young and vibrant, and only fifteen years old. He had assumed she would look nothing like she did when he last laid eyes on her.
But he was very wrong. Those eleven years had seemingly done nothing to Megan Coulis; she was still just as beautiful as the day she ran out of his high school Christmas party.
The reporter stepped in front of the camera, blocking Megan from view.
“Megan Coulis has just been released from prison, after new evidence regarding the murder of Dr. William Covington has come to light, proving her innocence.”
The reporters swarmed around her.
“Ms. Coulis, Ms. Coulis, how do you feel?”
The camera closed in on Megan. Evan caught his breath as he waited for her response, for the voice he had so missed. For so long, he had heard her voice in his dreams, but lately his dreams had begun to muffle. He was losing her. But then she spoke. Every ounce of tension vanished and an involuntary smile passed over his face. He knew that voice.
“I’m dumbfounded, honestly. After countless attempts at appeals, and spending nine years in prison for a crime I didn’t commit, I had all but given up.”
A microphone pushed in front of her face. “Do you know who turned over the evidence that got you exonerated?”
“I was told it was anonymous. I know nothing more.”
A different microphone made its way to the front. “Do you know what the evidence was?”
“That information was also kept from me.”
Still, another microphone swooped in. “How do you feel now knowing that the person who truly murdered Dr. Covington is still out there?”
Megan clasped her hands in front of her. “Well, I’ve known that fact all along, as it wasn’t me who killed him.”
“But you had motive.” That very accusation made her stop suddenly and look directly at the reporter.
Megan’s lips tightened into a line.
“Listen, I would never take another life, no matter how much that man might have contributed to a very dim part of my being. Aside from what happened between us, and any disagreements we might have had, I respected him as a teacher and a professional. I believe that everyone has the right to live, and that includes Dr. Covington. That right was taken away from him. No matter what you might think of me, I swear to you that I am saddened by that fact, and by the fact that his family had to endure such suffering.” Megan cleared her throat. “I made a promise to myself that if I were to ever walk out of that prison a free woman, I would devote my life to finding out what truly happened the night Dr. Covington was killed. I intend to fulfill that promise, and I hope that I can help find solace for his students, his friends, and his family. Thank you.”
Megan quickly smiled before her lawyer escorted her down the steps and into a black town car.
The reporter stepped back in front of the camera.
“You heard that correctly, ladies and gentlemen. That was Megan Coulis, the woman tried, convicted, and sentenced for the murder of Dr. William Covington. For those of you just tuning in, new evidence has come to light that called for the release of Megan Coulis from prison only a few hours ago. Now, Miss Coulis has vowed to find the actual person responsible for the murder of Dr. William Covington.”
Evan took a step back, as the reporter disappeared and the television station moved onto a commercial. His vision blurred and his breath shortened. The room began to spin around him. He placed his hand on the side table, hoping that the brief contact would steady him.
Megan Coulis had just vowed to find the person who was responsible for his uncle’s murder almost ten years ago. She had just promised on live television to devote her life to that very feat. But Evan didn’t need Megan to find the killer; Evan knew exactly who murdered Dr. Covington.
He did.
CHAPTER ONE
Eleven years earlier
“Because it’s a great school.”
Megan rolled her small suitcase i
nto her new home, a nine by twelve single dorm room. The walls were a pale yellow color, with a bed against one and a desk against the other. There was a small window that looked out over a quaint courtyard. Megan peered out into the daylight and saw two girls sitting on a bench, playing Cat’s Cradle. They couldn’t have been any older than twelve.
“Your school is a great school.”
“This school is a greater school.” Megan kept her gaze to the sunlight while her mother gave her last-ditch attempt at trying to get her to change her mind.
“And they let you in with that grammar? Greater?” She placed her hand on Megan’s shoulder.
“Mom.” Megan peeked up at her.
“I’m teasing. I’m proud of you, honey, but I don’t understand why you can’t come home at night.” Her mom gave her a small pouting face.
“It’s a boarding school.”
“But we live so close.”
“It’s only for a year. After that year, I can come home. They just want to make sure my full attention is on school.”
“You’re fifteen. Your full attention should be on dolls.”
“I’m too old for dolls.” Megan straightened up.
“I know. I just couldn’t think of what a fifteen year old needs to concentrate on…boys?”
“School.” Megan turned her gaze back to the window.
“I hate this.” Her mother joined at her side.
“I don’t like it either.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
“Okay, fine, I’m really excited.” Megan coyly smiled.
“I hope you know your mother is dying inside.” She gave her a little nudge.
“You’re not dying inside.” Megan judged her mother back.
“A little. I’m dying inside a little.”
“You’re proud of me.”
“I’m so proud of you.”
Megan opened her arms to her sides. “Then hug me and say ‘good luck’.”
Megan’s mother wrapped her warming arms around her daughter. She didn’t want to let go. She knew the second she released her little girl, she would have to walk out of that room. She would have to go home to an empty house.
But she also knew that Megan was ready. She had worked so hard for the opportunity to attend such a prestigious boarding school. How could she ask her to stay bound to her childhood when she was only diligently preparing for her future? She was a good girl, her girl, and she had to say goodbye.
“Good luck, baby.”
“Thanks Mom.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
She pushed her daughter’s stark black hair out of her face and behind her ears. Megan’s pale skin blushed at her mother’s touch, and her bright blue eyes glazed over with just a hint of happy tears.
“You are a beauty, Megan.”
“Thanks Mom.”
They pulled each other into another embrace.
“Knock, knock.”
The two women looked up from their hold to see a young boy standing at the door.
“Hi.” Megan quickly smiled at the cute, tall, alluring, dark haired boy.
“Hey. I’m Evan.”
“Evan.” Megan’s eyes glazed over again, but this time, not from tears.
“Yes, Evan.” He cocked his head to the side, not completely sure of what was happening to the new girl’s face. “I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m your hall advisor. It’s like an R.A. in college, but I just have this hall. Less responsibility. Less chance to mess things up, yah know?” He waited for her to laugh at his little joke, the same joke he used as he visited every new room, but she just stared at him, wide-eyed. “Anyway, if you need anything, I’m in room 601.”
“Perfect. 601.”
“Yes, and you’re…” He looked down at his clipboard. “Megan.”
“I am.”
“Well, Megan, it was very nice to meet you.” He looked to Megan’s mother. “You too, ma’am. I promise, she’s in good hands. And Megan, I’ll see you around.”
“Yes please!” She choked. To her relief, he had already disappeared from the doorframe.
But Evan still heard her.
“New kids.” He chortled to himself as he walked to the next room. It was the same with every girl that met him for the first time; he was used to it. But the rest at least laughed at his jokes.
Maybe it wasn’t the same…
“I thought your full attention was supposed to be on school, sweetie.” Megan’s mom joked with her, but her focus, her attention was gone.
“He was so pretty.”
The two unpacked Megan’s suitcase before giving one final goodbye. Her mother made her promise to at least come home once before Thanksgiving, to which Megan pinky swore. Then, with only one more unsuccessful attempt to steal her away, she left.
Megan was excited. She felt like an adult. She was her own person. She was living on her own and making decisions on her own. It was exhilarating. Plus, the cute, tall, alluring, dark-haired boy down the hall didn’t hurt her circumstances. She closed her eyes and pictured him. He was taller than any boy in her old school: probably almost six feet tall, in fact. And he undoubtedly played sports, as every student at The Valley School was required to play a sport each semester. But that wasn’t the reason she knew he played sports. The reason she knew he played sports was because he was built like an athlete. His shoulders were broad and his arms were muscular. His hips were square and his legs were long. His lips were…they had nothing to do with sports, but his lips were amazing.
Megan got a thrill from thinking about Evan. She hadn’t felt those kinds of feelings or thought those kinds of thoughts about anyone in her last school: or anyone ever, for that matter. She wanted to see him again. She wanted to come up with an excuse to visit room 601.
Maybe I’ll tell him I don’t know how to find my schedule.
No, then he’ll think I’m stupid. I don’t want him to think I’m stupid.
Maybe I’ll ask him where the bathroom is.
No, that’s embarrassing.
Maybe I’ll…
Her young mind couldn’t think of a single excuse to visit him that would still give her the upper hand, so she settled for letting fate bring them together. They lived on the same floor, and he was her floor advisor; there was no way she wouldn’t run into him soon enough. Yes, fate was the way to go.
Megan took out her binder full of everything and anything she needed to know about The Valley School. She had spent the summer organizing the information into color-coded tabs. The history, the rules, the expectations, a map of the grounds, successful alumni, and all the courses offered. She had separated the courses into different sections as well: courses she had to take- like statistics, courses she wanted to take- like environmental science, and courses that she didn’t want to take- like family and consumer sciences, or essentially, sewing and cooking.
Megan was ready.
She pulled out her schedule and scanned the classes that she would be taking the next day. It was a full course load, but one for which she was completely prepared. She was planning on heading down to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat before she settled in for the evening, but first, she clicked her pen ready and set it to her notebook. She scheduled her morning routine:
6:15- Wake up and read at least two news articles, one dealing with politics, and one to be used as a conversation starter
6:30- Shower, including washing hair
6:45- Dry hair/Get ready
7:00- Breakfast
7:30- Double check that I have everything for the day
7:45- Leave for class
7:55- Arrive at class
8:00- Intro to Psychology with Dr. William Covington
Yes, she was ready.
CHAPTER TWO
At 7:55, Megan sat down in her assigned seat. She opened her backpack and set out a green notebook in front of her, a pen, pencil, and highlighter to the right of the notebook, and a textbook in the upper left co
rner of the desk. She neatly folded her hands in front of her and looked around at her fellow students, feeling a sense of pride about her current situation. She had made it.
Two of her fellow classmates were gabbing next to her.
“I flew in yesterday. I was supposed to get in at 3:50, but we were delayed forty-five minutes, and then we sat on the tarmac for an hour, so I didn’t even get in until 5:30.”
“That’s ridiculous. And they made you sit there for an hour?”
“Yeah, we had already pulled away from the gate.
It was perfect; Megan knew exactly how to chime in.
“Sorry to interrupt, but that’s actually been happening a lot lately. The Department of Transportation is actually suing one airline for one and a half million dollars for excessive delays.”
“They can do that?” One of the girls turned to her, stunned.
“I guess it’s their job to keep order. It holds the airline accountable.”
“Wow, that’s crazy.” The other girl shook her head.
The two girls politely smiled at Megan, and went back to catching up and gossiping about all the famous people they had met over the summer. Megan couldn’t chime into that conversation, but she still felt quite giddy. She had used her one news article as a conversation starter. Success!