HE HUNG UP ON ME

I sat in the car, trying not to admit what I had just done—left my home… for people who didn’t even feel like family anymore. But there was no point pretending. I already did it.

We were halfway gone when a car sped past us.

My heart skipped. That was Dad’s car.

“Sir! Please turn back—catch up with that car,” I said quickly, twisting in my seat to look behind us, hoping it hadn’t gone too far.

“Why would I do that, ma’am? I can’t,” the driver replied, his tone firm, almost rehearsed. “The mistress ordered me to drop you at the city’s main bus stop. I’m not to turn back.”

Of course.

Aunt Juli and Natalie had planned this well. They wanted me gone, properly gone. No room to come back, no chance to explain.

I leaned back slowly, my chest tightening. It was too late now. Going back wasn’t even an option anymore. And the worst part? I didn’t even know where I was going. I barely had money on me.

How had I never pushed harder to know where Marco lived?

People always said I was too nonchalant. Maybe they were right. I had asked more than once, but he always brushed it aside like it didn’t matter. Like I didn’t need to know. Why wouldn’t he just tell me, even if he didn’t want me showing up unexpectedly?

The thoughts kept stacking until my throat hurt. I swallowed hard, but it changed nothing. That heavy feeling was already sinking in—the kind that comes when you realize you are completely alone.

“Ma’am, we’re here. You can get down now,” the driver said, glancing at his watch. “It’s half past eleven. The next bus should arrive soon. You’ll be fine, right?”

I almost laughed.

“I… I’m fine,” I said instead, clutching my side bag tighter.

He stepped out, helped bring down my things, then got back into the car without another word. I stood there as he drove off, the car shrinking into the road until it disappeared.

Just like that.

I turned around slowly. People were everywhere—talking, dragging bags, buying snacks, waiting for buses. None of them knew me. None of them cared.

I slipped my bag off my shoulder and checked inside. The money I had wasn’t even up to a hundred bucks.

My chest tightened.

I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed Marco.

Line busy.

I frowned and stepped aside, thinking maybe it was the network. I called again.

Still busy, again,nothing.

A strange feeling crawled into my stomach. Did he block my calls?

No… that didn’t make sense. Brooklyn city wasn’t some forgotten place. It was one of the most advanced cities in New york. Bad network shouldn’t even be an excuse here.

Then why couldn’t I reach him?

I was still staring at the screen when my bag was suddenly yanked from my hand.

“Thief! Thief! Somebody stop him!” I screamed, pointing after the man as he ran.

Heads turned, but no one moved.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I ran after him, pushing through people, hoping—just hoping—someone would help.

But he was fast. Too fast. Within seconds, he disappeared into the crowd.

Just like that. With the little I had left.

My steps slowed on their own. The world around me blurred. My chest hurt, tears burned my eyes, and I could barely think straight.

I needed to sit. I needed air.

I found a small park nearby and dropped onto a bench. Around me, people laughed, talked, lived like nothing was wrong. Some were filming skits, loud and carefree.

Then I saw them.

A man and a woman playing with their baby.  Happy and complete.

For one foolish moment, I imagined it. Me, Marco, and our baby, laughing under the trees just like them. A real family. Something warm. Something safe.

But the thought died quickly.

I couldn’t even reach him.

Maybe he didn’t want me to.

The little warmth in my chest vanished, leaving something colder behind.

What was I thinking, leaving home without knowing where I was going? Trusting someone who made everything uncertain? I wrapped my arms around myself and sat there, trying not to fall apart.

Time passed without warning. By the time I looked up again, the sky had dimmed. The park was nearly empty now, only a few cleaners moving around.

“Ma’am, you’re in the way. You’ll have to leave,” one of them said behind me.

I nodded, too drained to argue, and stood up. Then I walked. No direction. No plan. Just moving because standing still felt worse.

I had never felt this stranded before.

My fingers shook as I dialed Marco again. I almost expected the call to fail like before.

Instead, it rang.

Then he picked.

Relief hit me so fast my knees nearly gave way.

“Hey, Marco! Thank goodness—I’ve been trying to reach you,” I gasped, stopping under a streetlight.

“What happened? Any problem?” he asked, his voice low and steady, as if nothing was wrong.

“Yes… please, I need you to come get me. I’m stuck here in the streets  ,” I said quickly.

“What for?” he asked flatly. “I’m not in town. I’ve been on a trip since two days ago.”

My mouth parted. “You didn’t tell me earlier. Marco, I’m stranded here. I’ll explain everything when you come. Please… if you can’t come, at least send me some money.”

Silence.

Then a small sigh.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t help now. Find somewhere to spend the night.”

The line went dead.

I froze with the phone pressed to my ear.

It felt like something had stepped on my chest and kept standing there.

For a second, I stared at the screen, waiting for it to light back up. Waiting for him to call again and say it was a joke.

Nothing happened.

My vision blurred from exhaustion. My fingers trembled around the phone.

Why would Marco do that?

And worse… what was I supposed to do now?