“You’re being ridiculous. This is an important dinner. Let’s go back and fix this. We can talk at home.”
For once in my life, I cross my arms and hold my ground. “I’m not going back to that table. I’ll get an Uber and pack my things.”
His shock quickly turns to fury. “You’re going to leave me because I won’t indulge this tantrum? I took care of you for years. You owe me. Now go sit down.”
I owe him?
“I can’t believe I ever thought you loved me,” I whisper, more angry than hurt. “You just loved how I made you look.”
I back away from him. “Enjoy your dinner, Drew.”
Then I push through the revolving door, ready to start the rest of my life. Wherever that might lead.
FIFTY-THREE
HANNAH
I paythe extra for the Uber that comes in two minutes rather than six, because now that I’ve made the decision to get the hell out of here, I want outnow.
And unlike the last time I left Drew, I don’t feel guilty or worry that I’m making the wrong decision. Ifeltthat something was off between us last time, but I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Now I can. And it’s sad and disheartening that someone I thought loved me really just?—
Oh, look, here’s my Uber.
I hurry into the backseat, then put my earbuds in when the driver starts to make small talk. I’mnotin the mood.
I listen to moody power ballads all the way home, and then laugh at the idea that Drew’s apartment was ever my home.
Abaddon’s castle felt more like home, even though I was only there a few weeks.
I lived a lifetime in those few weeks.
The ache in the pit of my stomach opens back up. God, I miss him.
I draw a deep breath as the city lights twinkle overhead and snow starts to fall from the sky. It doesn’t matter that I miss him. I’m not making any more stupid romantic decisions. I’m obviously not trustworthy in that department.
I’m tired as I get out of the car, thank the driver, and then step carefully through the freshly fallen snow up to the apartment. The doorman greets me, and I nod at him, then make my way to the elevator.
Even tiredness feels different now, in this new, strange body, though. I sink my head back against the wall as the elevator ascends. After living so long one way, even when I went in search of my miracle, I didn’t really believe different was possible. And now…
Now everything’s different… except also not. BecauseI’mstill the same. Inside, it’s still me. A tear falls down my cheek, and angrily, I swipe it away. I’m tired of tears.
The elevator pings, and I pull out my keys. If I pack quickly, I can be gone before Drew gets back from dinner. I’ve said as many goodbyes to that man as I ever need to. What I fuckingowehim. I’m still steamed over that comment. I probably will be for a while. As if my disability meant we were inherently uneven and his simplybeingwith me was doing me such a favor. He literally just said my worst fear out loud. And I might hate him for that.
Angrily, I push the door open, switch on the light, and stomp toward the guest bedroom where I moved all my stuff. Except on the way there, I frown, noticing a cold draft.
But before I can investigate, the door I just closed behind me swings open.
I turn around in alarm, but then I see it’s Drew.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, surprised.
“What do you mean, what am I doing here? I couldn’t just let you leave and not follow you. How wouldthatlook to my colleagues?” He tosses his hands in the air.
I roll my eyes. Of course. How would itlook.
“Well, you didn’t need to bother. You could have just told them I broke off the engagement and am leaving you. For good this time.”
Drew sputters. “You’releavingme? So now that you look pretty, you’re too good for me? I put intimewith you.”
