This Time, I Walked Away

Joshua burst in with his arm around Linda's shoulders. Both of them were drenched. She clung to him, shaking, her face pale.

"Why are you just standing there? Get us some towels!" he snapped.

That bark knocked me out of the fog.

Same scene. Same words. And just like that—I knew. I'd been reborn.

I dropped to my knees and wrapped my arms around Mia, holding her like I'd never let go. Tears just came.

Joshua barked again. "What are you crying for? Feeling sorry for yourself? I said towels!"

I wiped my face and grabbed two.

He ignored himself, went straight to drying Linda's hair like she was the one who needed saving.

Then she started sniffling. "Mr. Ziegler, does your wife hate me? Maybe I should leave..."

"It's dangerous out," he said. "You're staying here tonight."

Back then, watching them act all cozy used to light up every bit of anger I'd buried. I couldn't help it—I snapped, "What were you two doing out so late? Why weren't you in your dorm?"

Linda blinked those big, fake-sad eyes. "It's my birthday. Mr. Ziegler took me to de Cuisine for dinner. We didn't think it'd rain this hard. Mrs. Ziegler, if I'm being a bother, I'll leave right now."

Joshua grabbed her hand before she could move, glaring at me like I'd just ruined the night.

"I brought you and Mia to Pineville so you could behave—not question me. Just stay in your lane."

The cold hit harder than the rain.

I grew up in his house. I was three years older than him, and I was cooking for him before I hit middle school. He never complained.

I worked double shifts to save for his tuition. Took care of Mia, his mom, the bills—everything.

He never lifted a finger. I gave him my best, even when we had nothing.

Three months in Pineville, and he never once took me out. But he could blow money on dinner for Linda?

"Joshua, when Mia had a fever, you said we couldn't afford a doctor and told me to rub her down with Vicks. Now you've got cash for a fancy dinner with someone else?"

Linda looked guilty. "Mr. Ziegler, I didn't know your family was tight on money. That's on me. I'll pay you back for dinner."

His ego couldn't take it. He shoved me.

"When I had a fever as a kid, all I got was a cold rag and Vicks. Kids today are just spoiled. And don't you dare start twisting things, Carmen."