Independence Novels & Stories

Em insisted from the other side of the door, beating the door. She gazed at her reflection. Her eyes were a swollen mess. She turned at the washbasin and splashed water on her face quickly. She heard the door beating again. She did not want the media to see her. It would make her life hell. His absence provided her with a bit of freedom but if her face was revealed, she wouldn't be free anymore.

"About the hotel." "I respect it." His jaw was tight. "I don't like it. But I respect it." "Why don't you like it?" "Because that hotel isn't safe. The locks are basic. The security is minimal. Anyone could—" He stopped himself. "I don't like the idea of you being vulnerable." "I'm not vulnerable. I'm independent." "Those aren't the same thing, Eleanor." "Aren't they?" "No." He leaned forward. "Being independent means taking care of yourself. Being vulnerable means being exposed to danger. You can be independent and still accept help when it makes sense."

111

“No bank. Not while I’m here.” No, no, no, no, this was what I was avoiding. “Alexander, this has nothing to do with you. I want to open something for myself. I don’t need your help.” He pushed away from the counter, his height suddenly towering too close. “You’d rather owe strangers interest and sign your freedom away than take from me?" “It’s not about owing!” I said. “It’s about independence. If I take from you, it’ll look like I can’t stand on my own two feet.”