Chapter 5

The next morning, when I dragged my suitcase downstairs, there was no one in the living room.

Clearly, no one had taken me seriously when I said I was leaving.

They thought I was helpless, someone who could not survive without them.

I smiled wryly. If anything, I felt relieved.

Better that they weren't here. I didn't want to waste another second on them.

I turned and left without a shred of regret.

The sun was out, and I walked down the street for a while.

I hadn't gone far before Severin's car pulled up beside me.

He rolled down the window. "Estella? Where are you going?"

"I'm going home for a visit," I lied.

Severin let out a breath. "That's fine. The kids are busy training with Valerie anyway, so they won't have time for you. Go cool off, and I'll come get you after the competition."

My fingers tightened on the suitcase handle, but I nodded calmly.

My lack of resistance seemed to please him. "I'll drive you," he said.

I was going to say no.

But the estate staff were peeking out from behind the gate, and there was no way to call a cab out here.

I didn't want to spend my last day arguing with him, so I got in.

Severin seemed like he wanted to say something, but I turned to look out the window and didn't give him the chance.

The hum of the air conditioner was the only sound in the car.

As we went through an intersection, a black sedan sped out of a side street.

I recognized Valerie behind the wheel.

Her car was heading straight for the front of ours.

Severin yanked the wheel.

We slammed into a fire hydrant. Glass shattered. My forehead struck the window frame, and blood ran down over my brow.

I forced my eyes open just in time to see him fling his door wide, run to Valerie's car, and help her out.

His voice was shaking. "Are you okay?"

Valerie said tearfully, "I'm fine... I just wanted to come back and get some clothes for the kids... I..."

He wrapped her up in his arms and pressed his lips to her forehead.

"Okay, okay. Thank God you're all right, Valerie... If you ever left me again, I'd lose my mind..."

He helped Valerie away and never once looked back at me.

When it came to Valerie, I would always be the one he abandoned.

I crawled out of the car, flagged down a cab, and went to the hospital.

My forehead needed stitches. I signed the forms and paid the bill myself.

Outside the exam room, a young couple walked past holding their little girl's hands. She had two pigtails and a bright laugh.

My chest tightened, and my eyes burned for a moment, but I didn't cry.

A breeze blew in. I took a deep breath and buried the last of the ache.

I took out my phone and texted that number again.

"Come get me."

"As you wish."

...

In the early hours of the morning, I boarded a plane to Sicily.

I watched the city lights shrink farther and farther away until they disappeared completely.

Ten years, over just like that.