ticia

. "Please, Dmitri... please don't do this." I sobbed "I love you. I've always loved you. I-I know

at me. "Valen

hance. I can make you happy. I pro

y palms scraping against the floor. "I said nothing of the sort." His voice was

ri, p

f his room. "You need to be gone by evening." He commanded. "I've given yo

losed door. My world was crumbling

utes or maybe seconds. But after a short whi

users once more. "Don't go... please. It's our an

ribs, as he stepped over. "I just sent you two million dollars, it should sustain

rs, then he walked past Maria who was eager to

nderneath the sorrow, I was d

would not allow him the sat

e divorce papers. Then I left it

ngs. I didn't pack much-just a suitcase, a hand

ignoring the expensive gowns that he had bought for me

t on the dining table, untouche

hts, throughout the whole ride. And when I stepped out

on the edge of town. The walls were peeling,

s fre

ng listings, and sending out my résumé. Each rejection ema

ion was a simple clerk role-but it was something. I filled out th

invitation, a surge of hope fi

rly, clutching my worn handbag as I ru

rought us to a halt. I glanced at my wa

off here?" I called to the driv

re, and stepped into the busy street. My heels clacke

when I saw them-two teenage

d just keep going, preten

stronger than I felt. "What

cut and a sneer that curled his lips, turn

s. "I am making it my

er, rolled his eyes. "Look, we don

y tightened his grip on her purse. My gaze na

"Or what? You go

to my bag, fingers brushing over m

d, but Buzz Cut nudged him. "

." Then I turned to the elderl

oman's eyes. "They...

. "You heard he

ered, "This is dumb,

ground, his chest puffed

led but regained my balance. "Is that all y

He advanced, but his

sly. This isn

r." He threw the purse to the ground, the cont

shed the old woman. She stumbled, and time s

way, their footsteps

d to her side, kneeling on the

he clutched mine. "Thank you,

one you can call?

s watery. "Yes. The

Stay here. Help is coming." I

n. My lungs burned, and my feet ac

r, and something h

e the breath fr

pun as I hi