The curtains are drawn, and the little light that filters in reveals the chaos—clothes left around the place, dishes stacked in the sink, ashtrays overflow.
It smells like the kind of place where time didn’t just stop, it stopped mattering altogether. Not since I left.
I shove away the guilt that tries to pull me under.
I can’t keep cleaning up his mess anymore.
I blow out a breath. Pretending to be stronger than I feel right now.
“Sean,” I say, steadying my voice. “I’m just here to grab my stuff, okay? I don’t want trouble. Just sit down. I won’t take long. I don’t need much.”
He seethes silently, then lets out a loud huff and slams himself down on the couch.
I can’t stop the trembling as I pack my things. Even now, I keep myeyes on his hands, on his sudden movements.
My chest is tight with panic, but I keep my back straight. Keep moving.
Get in, get out. Don’t react. That’s how I survive this.
I try to move quickly. I’ve already decided to leave most of it behind, but there are some things I want—things I need—clothes, makeup, my books, my paint brushes and pencils, Gizmo’s things, my keepsakes of Mum, and a few kitchen items I know Sean never used or even realised we owned.
And even though I promised myself I wouldn’t… I still clean a little as I go.
Lucas squeezes my shoulder when we pass in the hallway. Just a brief touch, but it grounds me. Tyler makes a dumb joke when he lifts my desk, and I almost laugh. Almost. I’m glad they’re here.
I get Tyler and Lucas to carry out my makeup desk and mirror. I grab a few other things and start to head out after them.
As I walk past Sean sitting on the couch, his voice stops me.
“Please don’t go, Camille,” his voice breaks.
I pause, swallowing hard.
I hate that it still hurts to hear him like this. But it hurts more to stay.
My stomach is in knots.
“I’m sorry, Sean. I have to go. You know that.”
“No, you don’t. Don’t give up on me. Don’t be a coward,” he sneers, slipping back into that condescending tone that used to control me.
I steel myself. “Sean. Stop. I have tried. I have been trying, trying for years.” I take a breath to stop myself from crying. “The longer I stayed with you Sean, the less I loved myself. I know that sounds selfish to you, but I need to be. I need to love myself again. If you ever cared for me, you would want me to be happy.Please… just let me be happy.” I beg him, willing my voice to stay strong. He looks at me with cold disdain. Then he stands abruptly, his body swaying slightly. Hisexpression twists with disgust.
“You are fucking selfish, Camille. All you care about is you. Go run off with your new boyfriend, you fuckingslut.”
Once, that word would’ve shattered me. Now it just proves I’m right to leave. This is who he is. Who he’s always been.
He punches the wall next to him with a loud crack, plasterboard splintering under his fist.
I flinch. My heart slams against my ribs. It’s a sound I’ve heard too many times. A reminder of the fear etched deep into my body.
I stare at him, frozen in place.
I can’t respond to him. I don’t know how.
There’s nothing left to say.
There is no reasoning with him.
