"Hahahahahahahahaha!" The lobby was filled with his laughter. I removed my arms immediately from his neck and got up from my seat."Come here, sorry. I didn't mean to tease you. Sit down. I won't do it again." Colin saidI was still confused of what was happening. We were both serious talking about our plans a while ago when he initiated the first move. What is happening now? I look at him in total confusion."Sorry. Come here. Sit down." He grabbed me by the arm and sat me to the chair where I used to sit."I now know why your husband didn't take you seriously. You are too naive, too innocent."I was still staring at him blankly. I feel so humiliated."You trust others easily and you don't know how to say no when someone asks you something. Life isn't like that. You should always use your brain before doing something. People will take you lightly and they will take advantage of you because you just give in so easily." He explained. His expl

As time passes by, I feel more and more tense. The white dress I am wearing is not close to a wedding dress, but it still makes me feel pretty. Something that I haven't felt before. I have been married once but it was never with such extravagant. What am I thinking? I'm not even sure whether it is a wedding I will be attending!I was ushered by the two women and Danny downstairs. Athena was waiting for me at the end of the stairs. She is wearing a pink dress with a basket in her hand."Baby! You look very beautiful. What is it that you're carrying?" I asked after giving her a soft kiss on her cheek."I'm a flowel gil today mommy," she said sounding very proud. "Daddy said I'm petty (pretty).""Who's daddy?" I asked. Hearing this word from her makes me feel so scared. The last person I hope she would meet is her father.The front yard looks very bright and elegant, totally opposite of how it looks like on a typical night. The place that used to be so calm and dark is now filled with lig

The next day, almost everyone gathered in front of Dorothy's apartment to send us off. The atmosphere was a mixture of sadness and happiness. Sadness that I, Danny and Athena have to say goodbye to the people we considered our family. Happiness because we can finally start a new life, a life without fear. I can also see some women smiling at us, I think they are also happy to know that we are finally safe, and we are finally free.These people started arriving since early morning. Some volunteered to help us pack our things while others gave us gifts and letters. Everyone promised not to cry today because we know we will be meeting again someday. Colin told us to leave most of our things behind since we will not be needing then anymore, but all the things we have now remind us of how we survived hiding from Geoff. It is filled with good memories and leaving them would seem like I am also ready to forget those behind so despite his suggestion, I still packed everything we have

That night, Colin decided to bring me, Athena, Nancy and my mom to a restaurant. He said he wants to celebrate our new life and home. He knows that we are not used to going to expensive restaurants, so he let me choose where to go. And since I missed eating pizza, I chose a famous pizza chain restaurant. There are also some home-made pizzas sold in Marshville but of course, it's still different with the food I usually had when I was still living alone. Colin agreed with my suggestion. At first, I tried to convince him that we can just have it delivered. I'm scared some people will recognize him since he was in the news before when he had a divorce and that was not so long time ago, but he insisted.It was Athena's first time to eat out in such a big and busy restaurant. Maybe we ate in the small cafeteria in Marshville only once, I still think it is more practical to prepare food at home. She looks very excited when Colin told her that we will eat out. I feel happy that she i

I was not able to sleep that night. I was traumatized with what happened not only today but also from my past. I can't bear to be in the same place with my ex-husband. I feel so scared that I can barely move.Colin did his best to make me feel relaxed that night. He made tea for me and massaged me. He hugged me the whole night, making me feel that I am not alone in this battle, that he will never leave me. I feel grateful to have him in my life, but I can't be like this forever. I cannot live my whole life in fear. I cannot let my past control my life now. I should learn to stand for myself and my daughter, for my new family. I cannot allow myself to live only behind my husband. What if he is not here? What if he has to go on a business trip one day and I meet Geoff again? I can't be the same person as what I did today. I need to fight.The next day, I got up earlier than usual. I am determined to be a better version of me, but I actually don't know how."Why ar