“You set me up, you fucking whore.” He spits when they cuff him, and I step aside to let the police do their job.
“I didn’t do anything. You did this to yourself,” I say to him, repulsed by his behaviour once more.
Shine steps closer to me, as if ready to protect me. “You’re safe now. We got you.”
Tears fill my eyes, but I stand tall. “Thank you.” I don’t want to be here anymore, so I walk past the police, ignoring Dick, and out into the corridor, stepping away from two years of my life.
“I’m free,” I whisper, and those words nearly take my legs out from under me. I’m not really sure what to do now all the fight, the fear, and the desperation are gone. The walls aren’t squeezing me any longer and everything feels harmless.
I can still hear the officer inside the flat, but that’s no longer my life. I’ve been living with the constant fear of being found, and now the absence of it is confusing. I blink as tears blur my vision, still unable to process that this is reality and not a dream.
Shine approaches me. “Jay, are you okay?”
I nod because I’m unable to speak, afraid sobs will be the only thing coming out of my mouth. “I want to see Haden. And Arianna,” I say to no one in particular.
“The car is ready downstairs. We’ll be in touch for your interview.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
“Jeremy?” I ask before he walks away.
He shakes his head before saying, “We haven’t found him yet.”
An ache spread inside me, because if there is someone I want to share this freedom with, it’s Jeremy.
I walk away and down the stairs, placing my hand on the bannister. My legs are still shaking and feel a bit noodle-like.
I look at the sky when I’m out of the building, finding the dark clouds the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. Even the light rain is welcome on my overheated face.
I wrap my arms around me. I’m trembling, but there’s no fear, no shame, it’s just shock. I’m safe, I’m free, and I’m allowed to live the life I want. With the people I want.
While the car takes me toward my new life, I pull out my phone and type a message.
Jay
I’m coming home. I love you.
I’m not sure I would have trusted love if I hadn’t met Haden.
His grumpy and hard exterior is melted by a heart that loves deeply and without judgement. Maybe because he wears the scars left by those who judged him.
We both have broken parts, but they fit perfectly together, making us whole again.
Our love may not be made of flowers and chocolates but of glass shards and scarred skin, still nothing has ever been so beautiful, so perfect.
We bring peace to each other’s internal wars, and we are for one another a place to rest and heal.
It’s us against the world… and with Arianna, we’re a family.
CHAPTER 23
Haden
The most difficult thing I did this morning was letting go of Jay.
I cursed the deities for making this day the one I risk losing my daughter, and the one on which the man I love goes into danger without me. He goes against that animal who caged him to set himself free.
