Until She Left Novels & Stories

“Until the severance.” My jaw tightened involuntarily. “You’re that determined to leave?” “We already agreed,” she replied softly, the fever sapping her strength and her usual sharpness.

“Someone came to take her this morning. She left….she said she was leaving for good.” The words hit like a punch. Alex froze and Bush muttered something under breath. “Someone?” Alex asked. “Do you know who?” He shook his head. “She didn’t say…that’s all I know.” I swallowed hard, trying to process the information. “She…she left?” “Yes,” he said, shrugging. “This morning,” he repeated.

I wanted to tell Aaron that it didn't matter right now because she was my best friend and she could always put me in my place but she didn't even let me say anything. She walked out and slammed the door shut, leaving me with my regret. “When did she leave?” “The day Milo went to the hospital.” Shit.. so she didn't even waste any time before she left. “Did she give any hint about where she was going or say that she would be back?"

“I told him you weren’t here yet.” I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “And then…?” “He left,” she said gently. “He left a few minutes ago.”

I left them . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

She turned toward the door, gripping the handle so tightly her knuckles turned white. But before she left, she spoke one last time— “I hope you figure it out before it’s too late.” And then, without another word, she walked away. Leaving Damien standing alone in the wreckage of what they had built.

She raised her hands as she started to count, “Mama left, Grand mama left, aunt Edwina left too” My eyes went to Aaron, question in them. He shook his head, “I’ll tell you later” he said. I gave her my attention again, “Do you know if they wanted to leave on purpose or if it just happened?” She shook her head, stubbornness building in them, “They could have stayed if they wanted to. They left because they got tired of me.” her hands fell on Aaron beside her. “Daddy’s the only one who doesn’t get tired of me”

“Later.” With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, my mind already shifting back to her. She had left without a word. But she wouldn’t escape me that easily.

“There is something else you are not saying.” Her brows drew together slightly. “What makes you think that?” I held her gaze. “Because I know you.” She looked away first. That was all the confirmation I needed. “I left more than just a place behind,” she said slowly. I waited for her to continue. “I left people,” she said. “Employees, partners and people who trusted me.” Her voice softened slightly. “And I didn’t explain much to them before I left.” At that moment, I understood. This was not only about her past, it was about everything she had left unfinished.

And she was like pulling my legs. How could she tease me? I left her and kept that so-called thing in it's place. I could still tell that now she was grinning ear to ear. I was just irritated by this and told her. "Enough of this. Enough mom we are leaving now." I pleaded, paid the bill, and made our way out.