Chapter 4: Where Do I Go From Here?

Ryan: DON'T YOU DARE RUN AWAY FROM ME.

The moment Emily read those words, her entire body went rigid.

Her hand trembled around her phone. She couldn't move, couldn't even tear her eyes away from the screen.

"I'm scared..."

Her voice was barely a whisper.

Whenever Ryan got angry, he could go on berating her for hours.

Nothing she said ever seemed to be right. If she tried to explain herself, he accused her of making excuses. If she stayed silent, he demanded to know why she was ignoring him.

He wouldn't stop until she apologized.

And so, Emily had always been the one to give in.

Even now, her first instinct was to beg for his forgiveness.

"You don't need to reply."

Alexander spoke gently.

"There's no reason for you to deal with your husband's anger right now."

"But if I ignore him..."

"Emily."

Alexander quietly interrupted her.

"Today isn't about calming your husband down."

She slowly raised her head.

"Today is about protecting you and your baby."

Warmth spread through her chest.

No one had ever said anything like that to her before.

Alexander didn't reach for her phone or demand that she turn it off. He simply waited, allowing her to make the decision herself.

It was such a small thing, yet Emily found it strangely comforting.

Ryan would never have been so patient.

"...Okay."

She gave a small nod.

Just then—

Bzzzz! Bzzzz!

Her phone began vibrating again.

Emily flinched, expecting another call from Ryan.

But when she glanced at the screen, she saw a different name.

Robert Mitchell.

"Robert!"

Emily hurriedly answered.

"Oh, sweetheart... It's finally over..."

Robert let out a long, exhausted sigh.

"The police came, honey. They took your husband away."

"What...?"

"I don't think they arrested him, but at least they got him out of the café. We should be able to reopen now."

Emily breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm so, so sorry..."

"Oh, no, darling. You're not the one who should be apologizing."

Robert's voice was firm.

"You just get some rest today, all right? Don't you worry about the café. I'll take care of everything."

"Thank you so much..."

After ending the call, Emily lowered her head.

"I've caused so much trouble for Robert, too..."

"Your husband caused the trouble."

Alexander's voice was gentle but certain.

"You've done nothing wrong, Emily."

She lowered her eyes.

Even though he said it, she couldn't quite believe him.

After all, she'd spent years convincing herself that everything was her fault.

She had become so accustomed to apologizing that the words came automatically, even when she'd done nothing wrong.

"Now then."

Alexander rose from his seat.

"Let's think about the next problem."

"The next...?"

"Where are you going to stay tonight?"

Emily couldn't answer.

She had no family home to return to.

No friends she could rely on.

And Ryan might already be back at their apartment.

Her apartment keys were still tucked safely inside her handbag.

But the thought of using them made her stomach twist.

That apartment had been her home for years. She'd worked herself to exhaustion to pay the rent, buy groceries, and keep the lights on.

Yet now, the thought of walking through its front door filled her with dread.

What if Ryan was waiting for her?

What if he started shouting again?

She instinctively placed a hand over her stomach.

She wasn't alone anymore. There was a tiny life inside her that she had to protect.

"I... I have nowhere to go."

The moment she said those words aloud, the reality of her situation finally sank in.

She truly had nowhere to turn.

Alexander fell silent for a moment, considering something.

He didn't rush her or offer meaningless reassurance.

Instead, he waited until she looked up at him.

Then he spoke.

"In that case, I have a suggestion."

Emily looked up.

Alexander met her gaze directly.

"Would you allow me to take care of things?"