*
*
We met in the back of the bookstore again, the same little aisle that smelled like old paper and ink. Sophia was already there, pacing between shelves, her face sharp with impatience.
"You kissed him," she said before I even opened my mouth.
"I…" My voice caught. "It wasn't like that."
"Oh, come on, Cait," she snapped , turning to face me. "You think I haven't seen this before? You're trauma bonded. It's textbook. Abuser breaks you down, then throws you scraps of affection like they're gifts. And you eat it up because he's the only warmth in the freezing hell he built around you."
Her voice was low, but furious. Her eyes glistened, not with tears, but with rage.
"I didn't mean to," I whispered. "It's just, happened."
"No, it didn't. You let it. Because some part of you still thinks he's going to love you the way you need."
She stepped closer.
"But he won't. He's not capable. He never was."
I lowered my eyes, shame burning behind my ribs.
Sophia exhaled and ran her hands through her hair. "I'm not mad that you're scared. Or even that you kissed him. I'm mad because I'm afraid we're running out of time, and you're hesitating."
"I'm not," I said quickly. "I swear. I've just, been trying to survive."
She studied me for a long time, her voice softening. "Then let's make a decision. A real one. No more hiding. No more 'maybe soon'."
I swallowed hard. "You want me to set a date?"
"I need you to," she said. "Before he figures out you're planning something. Because if he doe.. Cait, he'll kill you. You know that, right?"
I nodded. Slowly. Eyes stinging.
"I want to do it in ten days." I whispered.
Sophia froze.
"Ten?" She echoed. "That's… Not much time."
"I know. But I can feel him watching more. Something's shifting. I don't think I'll get longer than that."
She looked like she wanted to argue. But instead, she reached for my hand and squeezed it tight.
"Then we do it in ten," she said. "You'll go to the boathouse that night. We fake the drowning. I'll be waiting with the car and the ID. You'll disappear before sunrise."
I nodded, tears slipping down silently. "And then what?"
"You stay gone," she said. "You don't look back. You don't ask questions. You burn everything that contacts you to this life. Especially him."
My throat closed. "I'm scared."
"I know." She leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "But you don't need to be brave forever. Just brave enough to leave."
I smiled softly and gave her a silly smirk. "You now act like my elder sister, don't you?"
Sophia hesitated for a moment and then suddenly made a loud laugh.
I didn't think what I said would warrant such a laugh. She's a freaking clown.
"I'm just tryna be of help sis. You know I love you so much." She said softly.
"Whatever." I hissed. "How's your mother? She still gambles?"
Sophia steadied and sighed. "She's not stopping, Cait. I really do not know what her problem is."
"Well, have you gone to see daddy lately? He's been asking after you, soph. Don't tell me you wanna abandon him like you mother."
"Oh sis, don't talk like that please. I've been busy busy you know, really busy."
What a joke!
"Too busy to spend an hour with your sick father, I guess." I looked sternly at her.
"I'll go see him by weekend, Cait. I promise."
"Suit yourself." I said and hurried out.
Aiden mustn't notice my absence.
*
Back at the penthouse, I moved like a ghost.
I cooked dinner, folded clothes, listened to Aiden as he showered.
He kissed my cheek before bed. And told me he might take me away soon. Somewhere warm, somewhere quiet.
I smiled like it was the best news I'd ever heard.
Ten more days.
That's all I had to survive.
But as I laid in bed that night, wrapped in my soft, warm duvet. I couldn't stop thinking about the way his hands had held my face, the way his voice had dipped when he said my name.
And the voice in my head, the one that sounded too much like him, whispered something I didn't want to believe.
What if you don't make it out?
What If you don't want to?
God forbid! I found myself saying out loud.
Aiden was a helpless romantic, he was a great guy, he knew how to get me so bad. But he wasn't so great. Not so great as a husband.
I wouldn't want to remain his puppet all my life. All I needed was a little pampering, not slavery.
Is that that word? No, i wasn't subjected to menial labour, was I? Aiden didn't even allow me lift a pin in his house. I had maids at my beck and call. But still, I needed freedom. And fast.
I had been a shadow of myself long enough. Sophia has become my one and only friend, when she was supposed to be my sister. It's weird. I needed some space, some free time for myself. I wanted to experience the world outside this prison walls once more. I wanted to smile, not because I needed to, but because I wanted to.
"I wouldn't let his sweet actions get to me anymore." I said as I closed my eyes.