ed'
essary. This wasn't just about comfort or convenience anymore-Kate and Sophia weren't safe in that apartment. I couldn't ignore the growing unease
y stretched out in a sea of glittering lights. It looked peaceful from up here, but I knew better. Beneath the surfac
hovered over the call button for a second longer than n
pick
s slightly groggy, li
It was nearly 10 AM. "
ed, yawning softly.
haled and leaned forward, r
u to move
ll five secon
h
and I heard as the bed she was lying on cr
ounded sharper a
cof
with me," I repeated, slower this time. "I
t under
grip on the phone tightened. "I don't trust him. I don't trust what he'll do next
his name always made me feel edgy. I hat
wn for years. I don't need you swooping in an
Kate. I'm saying you shouldn't have to be constantly looking over yo
afe," she
, you were burning a Valentine's card in the fi
t quiet
up and leave threats on your doorstep. You and Sophia wouldn't have to worry about this. And be
thinking we live in some rundown place, and also ab
s not
ow, her voice sharp like a blade. "I've never complained about where we live, Jared
I interrupted, rubbing my temples feeling very stressed at the moment.
nd your solution is for us to just pa
mly. "That's exac
s going to hang up on me. The way she was breathing was evidence of just how an
d. "I need to t
at
d," she repeated, her voice quieter no
d argue, the
way from my ear and
mn
ling slowly. She was so damn stubborn. Why couldn't s
all. I knew
*. *.
e's
the couch, staring blankly at the wa
itting cross-legged on the flo
," I said
response, no
ly- we moved in with Jared?" I asked
t I thought she might get
called and aske
up. "And what
eded to thin
he couch. "Kate, why do you do this? Why
rational action. Great. What was I
n't make everyth
le. He lives in a freaking penthouse. The security there
. "So this is ab
evin did. What if he does something worse next time? Do you really wan
ew. Maybe she wasn't so
independent and all that, but for once, c
lip, mulling
she wa
ared wa
igh
to her, "how d
y, the confusion in her
t Kev
t!" She
to signify for
d you both talking so it was easy for me to de
I se
" She ex
r in an argument and ye
I'll ca
phone and dia
his voice came up on th
at
ent for a
ove in."
think I heard him breath a little sigh of
oo
mean I owe you anything. Thi
t to me as though a smirk was tu
." It was important for me to set boundaries after all. I
e that thought? I shoo
erst
d. "Oka
en to help you
ar
ry about what this woul
eet," he assured
her breath but didn't argue
t, Kate."
"Goodnigh
house. I never thought I'd