“Whaaat…” I can barely speak.“The lease… termination…?”My breath comes in short, shallow gasps.
“It’s only a matter of time.I’m so sorry.”Matthew looks away, his expression pained.
My knees buckle.I stumble back, hand flying to my mouth, a silent gasp escaping my lips.
“So fucking sorry,” he adds, his voice cracking.
He takes a step toward me.I recoil.
“I honestly tried…”
I nod jerkily, gaze fixed on the floor.
I can’t think.
I can’t breathe.
The basement air thins.The walls close in.
Incapable of staying a second longer, my legs carry me toward the stairs on autopilot.
I need to get out of here.
Now.
“Amy!”
Matthew is right behind me.I grip the railing, stumbling up the stairs.At the top, I rush toward the front door, desperate to escape.I hear his footsteps, heavier, closer, but I don’t look back.
“Amy, wait!”his voice echoes in the entryway.
I reach the door, fingers fumbling with the lock.
Panic claws at my throat.
I turn the knob and pull the door open a crack.A hand flies past my head and slams it shut.
“I have to go,” I whisper.
“Please,” he says, his tone softer now, but no less urgent.“Just listen to me for a second.”
I shake my head.Tears spill over, hot against my cheeks.“No,” I choke out.“I-I just need to go.”
“I know you’re upset,” he says gently.“But you have to believe me—”
“Upset?!”I laugh, a harsh, humorless sound.
I wheel around.He steps back, startled.“My life has just been blown apart.”
He flinches.“I know.Sorry,” he whispers, dropping his gaze.
“Yeah… Not as sorry as I am.”My voice is hollow.“It’s over.All of it.My engagement, my café… Nothing’s left.”
He reaches for me, eyes pleading.
I put my hand up between us.“Don’t!”
I spin around and yank the door open.
