CHAPTER NINE-- THE DECISION

Ella's POV

Freedom smelled like cardboard boxes and packing tape.

My hands shook as I sealed another box, marking it "CLOTHES" in bold black letters. The morning sun streamed through our bedroom windows – windows I'd stared through countless nights, feeling trapped in this beautiful cage Dave called home while he desecrated our vows.

"We have two hours max," Lily said, efficiently wrapping my photo frames in bubble wrap, her lips set in determined lines. She has been an absolute rock through all these and I don't know what I'd do without her. "Mr. Chris wants to meet at 11:30. Are you sure about going through with this today?"

I nodded, checking my burner phone again. 8:45 AM. Dave would be in his morning meeting until 11. "Dave saw the e-files Mr. Christ sent to my regular phone by mistake. There's no point waiting anymore – he knows I want out."

Mr. Chris, my lawyer, a middle aged man with intelligent eyes and a kind smile, had been deeply sorry for sending the divorce papers to my actual phone. He didn't hesitate to tell me that I needed to leave this house now that Dave knew I was serving him divorce papers.

The movers Lily had hired – paid in cash, sworn to discretion – worked quickly downstairs. Every thud made my heart race, expecting Dave to burst through the door. His messages from the past twenty-four hours had shown me a side of him I'd never seen before, or perhaps had chosen not to see.

My regular phone buzzed again. Another message from Dave: "You better be home when I return. We need to talk about your behavior at breakfast. Don't forget who you belong to."

Who I belonged to. The Dave I'd married three years ago would never have said something like that. That Dave had been charming, gentle even. He'd brought me coffee in bed and laughed at my terrible jokes. When had he changed? Or had this controlling, angry man always been there, hiding behind a perfect smile?

Had I just been living in denial all these years or was he smart enough to hide it all until now?

I think it's the former. Everyone knows that people in love see their partners in rose-tinted glasses. Too bad that delusion has run its course. 

Dave is an absolutely vile man and I can't stop the fear that sneaks in. Would he actually hurt me?

"Ella." Lily's voice cut through my thoughts. She held up a silver-framed photo from our wedding day. "Trash or pack?"

I stared at our smiling faces. "Trash. I need to document everything in case he tries to contest the divorce, but I don't need the memories."

The movers finished loading the last of my pre-marriage belongings as I did a final sweep of the house. Everything of real value – documents, my only childhood jewelry, my personal papers – was already secured in a safety deposit box Lily had helped me rent last week. 

Yes, I never got to know my parents but for some reason, I didn't have it in me to let go of the necklace I've been told I was wearing when I was found as a dirty, hungry and weak four year old, wandering the streets and looking lost.

I don't remember anything that happened but I know that this necklace is special to me.

"Ms. Bronx?" One of the movers appeared in the doorway. "The truck's ready. We'll meet you at the new address."

I nodded, checking my burner phone. 10:15 AM. Perfect timing for my meeting with Mr. Chris, my divorce lawyer.

The drive to his office felt surreal. Lily kept checking her mirrors for any signs we were being followed, but Dave's tracking app would show him I was exactly where I was supposed to be – at home, being his obedient wife.

"You need to tell the lawyer everything," Lily said as we parked. "About the threats, the controlling behavior, everything."

His office was a stark contrast to our home – practical, efficient, no pretense. He stood as we entered, his expression grave.

"I received your messages about Dave seeing the e-files," he said, gesturing for us to sit. "Tell me exactly what happened."

I recounted yesterday's breakfast disaster, Dave's subsequent messages, and his escalating behavior. Mr. Chris took detailed notes, his frown deepening.

"These messages suggest a pattern of emotional abuse and controlling behavior," he said, pulling out a thick manila folder. "I've prepared everything based on what you've told me over the past weeks, but given these new developments, I want to add an emergency restraining order."

My hands trembled as I signed paper after paper. Three years of marriage reduced to legal terms and accusations.

"What about the house?" I asked. "Everything I'm taking was mine before the marriage—"

"Good. Keep it that way. The prenup you signed actually works in your favor here – it guarantees you financial support without requiring you to stay in an unsafe situation." He passed me another document. "This authorizes the server to deliver the papers to Dave's office today."

"His office?" My heart raced. "He'll make a scene—"

"That's exactly what we want," Mr. Chris said firmly. "Public setting, witnesses, security cameras. If he reacts badly, it helps our case for the restraining order."

As if on cue, my regular phone buzzed with another message from Dave: "I know you're up to something. Don't forget – you're nothing without me. No family, no connections. Just a worthless orphan I lifted out of obscurity."

I handed the phone to Mr. Chris, who immediately began documenting the message. "This is good," he said. "Keep recording everything. Don't respond, don't engage. The server will deliver the papers at 2 PM."

Back in Lily's car, headed to my new apartment, I felt lighter despite the fear. The security team Lily had hired confirmed they were in position – two at my new building, one following Dave discreetly.

"Warning," came the text at 1:58 PM. "Target in office, meeting in progress."

At 2:07 PM: "Papers served. Target reaction volatile. Security footage secured."

At 2:15 PM, my regular phone exploded with messages:

"How dare you?"

"You think you can leave ME?"

"I will destroy you."

"You're making a big mistake."

"I know about the hotel."

The last message made my blood run cold. What hotel? Was he bluffing, or did he know something I didn't?

"Ella?" Lily touched my arm gently. "We're here."

I looked up at my new building – no doorman, no marble floors, but it had good security and cameras everywhere. A fresh start.

"I need to turn this phone off," I said, holding up the device still buzzing with Dave's threats. "Mr. Chris said—"

"Wait." Lily grabbed my hand as I reached to power down the phone. "Look at his last message."

New text from Dave: "Tell my dear uncle he should be more careful about where he takes my wife. Those hotel security cameras catch everything."

My heart stopped. What exactly did Dave know about that night?