Leaving Him To His Own Devices Novels & Stories

“Please.” “I’m not leaving you like this.” “You just told me you can’t keep doing this. So leave. I’ll manage.” “I don’t like either version of that sentence.” “You don’t have to like it. You just have to walk out that door before it happens again.” He looked at me for a long moment, like he was weighing whether to argue, then nodded once and pushed himself up off the floor. He left without another word, closing the door softly behind him like he didn’t trust himself to do it any other way.

"I’m done." And then he left.

I am ready. I leave a note on the bed, simple, without pathos, without promise: "Leave. Do not commit further than what I say. Stay away." It is an injunction and a weapon. I take care to add a time and an address where he can disappear, a neutral hotel, a room on the top floor, a window overlooking nothing. Everything is calculated to give him the illusion of choice. Before leaving, I turn around, and because I want certain registers to intertwine, I shout, just loud enough for him to hear, but without breaking in my voice:

He rolled his eyes and walked past her, standing behind the glass door, watching the rain pouring down without mercy. “I read the text. That’s why I left right away.” “Wait. So, why didn’t you tell the others? Now, they’re all going to get embarrassed in front of his parents.” She frowned at herself, not liking the picture in her head. He shrugged. “Not my problem. I just want to get out of here.” Vivienne stared at him, dumbfounded. “Not your problem? So you just left them there to get caught?” He turned his head slightly, giving her a look that was equal parts exasperated and amused. “What do you want me to do? Go back and babysit a bunch of idiots who can’t keep it in their pants? I’ve go

I reasoned with him. "I know that, Dei. I know the point you are trying to prove." "You do?" "Yes. You stopped collecting your monthly allowances from me the moment you left for LA just so you could prove that you can afford to fend for yourself. That's your policy right?" he asked then answered himself. "Yes it is, being independent. That's why you left for LA in the first place." The last part was more to himself than me. It was only part of the truth, but his tone was definite. "That's not why dad. You shouldn't jump into conclusions." I avoided his eyes.

When she didn't say anything,he gave her hand a gentle squeeze,letting her be on her own as he left,his heart heavy. What did he have to do for his wife to become normal?

Not really. “You’d be away from him. Running your own branch. No micromanaging, no daily lectures.” “And Kaidan could have some peace,” I murmured. Bryce nodded. “Exactly. It’s your shot to build something for yourself. Make it yours.” I sat in silence for a while, mulling it over. Slowly, my clenched fists loosened. “Alright,” I said finally. “You’re right.” “Damn right I am.” We clinked glasses.

"You've always carried everything on your own, Alexander. Your mother worries about you more than she lets on." "I don't need someone chosen for me." "I understand." He removed his hand and walked toward the door. Just before leaving, he stopped. "Whatever decision you make..." He glanced back at me. "...make sure it's your own." The door closed behind him. Once again, I was alone.