e's

for bed. I was still contemplating on how to leave this loveless marriage, but no idea was coming asi

placed new ones, I didn't bother taking a shower

loorboards, every whisper of wind through the curtains kept my mind on high alert. My hand stayed pressed to my stomac

s were heavy, but I dragged myself up, slipping into a robe before heading toward the kitchen. I needed a str

be in the kitchen, that's h

essman mask. A cup of black coffee steamed beside him, and he had the morning paper spread open like nothing in the world co

to stay steady. The clink of the spoon a

spoke. "So. You've decided to be silen

t know how you expect me

, he looked at me like a teacher addressing a misbehaving student. "I expect you to a

My voice rose before I could stop it. "You thi

lder. "You're so naïve, Aloe. You think because you wear my

a roof over your head, clothes, a life pe

I have suspected it for months that I was more decoration than

love me," I

rried you. That's more th

t my throat closed. My chest ached, but I forced my tears to stay

d him. "And do yourself a favor, don't start some divorce fant

s voice wasn't empt

cho of the front door ringing through

counter to keep my hands from shaking. His words replayed in my

month without him. He thought

e eternity without him, but my sub-con

n't much, just a box enough to hold clothes, essentials, and the few keepsakes I couldn't bear to leave behind. M

f rebellion and every zipped compartment w

next checkup. I had planned to surprise him with it... God, how stupid that sounded now. The thought of handing

out saving myself and the tiny life growing inside

hing. He controlled everything. And if I simply walked out,

Someone with resources. Someone he c

actly who tha

of risk that could change everything, not just for me, but for Wakes too. This wasn

in my palm. My thumb hovered over the contacts list,

, I tap

p, familiar voice answered. "I was

htened. "I ne

down my spine like a warning. "I've been waiti

. "You'll k

sured. "Safer than you

e phone tight

ll be there at eleven. Pack light

questions, demanded to know the cost. But deep dow

t just about helping me, and I just hope he