Novel & Cerita Leaving Him To His Own Devices

" I said. "On your own?" He asked. "Yes, on my own." I replied. "But what if something goes wrong like the last time?" He asked. "I can handle myself." I replied. "And what if something goes wrong with someone while you are handling yourself?" He asked. "Nothing will go wrong." I said. "But what if..." He said. "Enough with the what ifs. I'm going on my own and that's final." I said. "Okay okay. No need to get angry at me." He said.

I push. He remains confused, blinking for a moment as if fishing his mind for clues. Clues I gladly give him. "Not that leaving itself is the problem. It is how you do it- without a word," I pressed, "I have no wolf, remember? I cannot sense when you leave. So... oftentimes, I remain oblivious and keep the conversation, only to realize I'm talking to myself." I watch his expression dissolve into that of understanding, then acknowledgment, then something more peculiar, a shade of embarrassment.

He hadn’t expected the confession—much less so openly. “No need to hide it. Someday, you’ll understand why. But not yet.” Nash left the room, unsure what to feel. After a long pause, he murmured to himself— “Maybe this is for the best. He… is finally letting go.” ***

He had four hours until his flight. Four hours to figure out what the hell he was going to do. He sat down on the edge of the bed and stared at the wall. Then he said it out loud. To no one. To himself. To the universe. “I’m leaving Paris now.“​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I asked quickly, before he could fully turn away from me. “Away from you, obviously. You are way too much to deal with.” “So, what, you're just leaving me here all by myself?” “That is exactly what I'm doing, as you can see,” he said, turning back toward me. “Don't even try to follow me down the hall. Don't even think about it.” I folded my arms tightly over my chest, pulling a pouty lip as I slumped back against the stack of throw pillows. “Whatever. It's not like I need you around anyway.”

He looked away, instantly not wanting to hear the answers. He sank onto the bed, slowly, he turned to the other side, away from everyone, then he said, plainly. “ Everyone. Leave.” No one moved. “ Don't make me repeat myself, leave.” This time, they all turned away and moved out. Except Tessa. “ Gray..” “ Please..” his voice trembled. “ I just need a moment.” Then, he felt every foot leaving the room. Everywhere silence apart from the beeping sound from the heart monitor.

True and brutal and impossible to take back. He left without another word. Leaving me in darkness.

He gave me time with my dad to make up for the lost time. He loosened his hold on the wheelchair, allowing me to take control of it. I grabbed it, turning the wheelchair towards the house. I pushed him to the house where no one but him resided, stopping when we reached the veranda. The fact that he couldn’t even talk well or much, the fact that he couldn’t walk or take care of himself—it hurt. And the thought of leaving him there alone hurt the most. But I had to leave. I bid him goodbye before reluctantly setting out to leave with my children and Jonah beside me.

“Please, Vincent, don’t be selfish. Think about others. You should leave .Don’t leave other things for people.” I paused, then added softly, “You're not a child.” He stared at me. For a long moment, neither of us spoke. The room felt too small, the air too tight. Then he lifted the phone again. “Alright, Noah,” he said. “Prepare my own flight.” The call ended. I sat quietly, my body suddenly heavy, my thoughts tangled and restless. I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or afraid. I didn’t know what leaving meant anymore.

I remained there another couple of minutes before saying my goodbyes and turning toward the compound. Jordan never looked up again. He trusted me. I walked until I reached what I considered a safe distance. Only then did I stop. Without turning around, I raised my voice just enough for him to hear. “You forgot one more way.” His tools stopped moving. “What?” He sounded genuinely confused. I slowly looked over my shoulder. “The device.” He frowned. “What about it?” “You forgot there’s another way to set it off.” His eyebrows climbed. “And how would that be?”