Then I called home.
“You need to come back,” Mom said immediately, her voice fierce.“We’ll work through this together.We’ll protect you.”
“I can’t.Not yet.”I swiped at my face.“I have to give notice.For my apartment, for the shop.I can’t leave Abby shorthanded, especially around the holidays.”
“Cassidy...”
I could hear my family in the background, but I couldn't let him chase me away from my life.
“I’ll be home soon, I will be home in a few days for Thanksgiving, and I will let Abby know she needs to find someone else...I...I will be ok.”I promised.But even as I said it, I wondered if that was true and if I could make it that long.
Chapter 17
I woke up with my heart pounding, breath coming in quick, shallow bursts.The dream was already fading, but the ghost of it clung, Andrew’s voice low in my ear, his hand on my throat, the familiar weight of him pinning me in place.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand.I glanced at the screen, another text from him.
The third one this morning.
I didn’t read it.I didn’t have to.I knew it would be another mix of apologies, declarations, and the kind of pleading that used to pull me in.Now it just made my skin crawl.
It had been a few days since I’d been home.Since I’d seen him outside my apartment looking wrecked and desperate.I’d been careful since then, public spaces only, quick walks from work to home, checking over my shoulder without making it obvious.
At the shop, Abby had barely flipped the sign toOpenbefore I told her.“I need to give notice.”
Her head shot up from the counter.“Cass… are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”It was automatic, even though my stomach was knotted.“I just… I think I need to move back home.With my family.”
She searched my face like she could see all the things I wasn’t saying.“Do you need to talk about it?”
I shook my head.“Not right now.”
“Would you… consider staying until Christmas?Just to get through the holiday rush?”
“That’s over two months away, Abby.”
“I know.I’m asking you to think about it.I don't think I can replace you before December.”
Her voice was soft but practical.She was always practical.And she was right; my lease required two months’ notice anyway.I could pay the rent and still leave early, but part of me hated the idea of leaving her short-handed during the busiest season.
“I’ll think about it,” I said.
She smiled faintly, like she knew that was as close to a promise as she’d get.
The day passed in a blur of ringing phones and the steady flow of customers.I kept my head down, shelving books, bagging purchases, answering questions about authors and upcoming releases.
Tomorrow morning, I’d head home for a few days.I’d see my family.I’d sleep without checking the locks twice.I’d remember what it felt like to breathe without that constant, quiet fear.
I’d let go of Andrew.
Let go of the dream I had for us.
I had to.
The knock started as a steady thud, loud enough to rattle the picture frames on the wall.
I froze in the middle of my living room.
