“You’re leaving now,” I said. “That’s what matters.”
She sat on the edge of the bed, sighed, and looked up at me. “Are you okay, Princess?” Her voice was soft, but her eyes were sharp, reading me like she always could. “Are you okay, baby? Did that… thug hurt you?”
“No,” I said, almost too quickly. I swallowed hard. “I’m fine. I’m just ready to start over.” She studied me a beat longer, and I had to fight to keep my expression still. I couldn’t talk about Nyce. Not yet. Not with her. Not while my heart still felt like it had been scraped raw and left exposed.
“Okay,” she said finally, rising to her feet again. “I’m gonna go to my parents’ place. I don’t want a hotel room paid for by the man who stole you from me, and you shouldn’t either.”
“You don’t understand,” I said softly. But I did. I also knew I wasn’t ready to disappear completely. I was going to that hotel. Not because I needed rest or comfort. But because some foolish, aching part of me was hoping Nyce would show up. That maybe, just maybe, he would come check on me. I walked over to my mother and wrapped my arms around her again. “I’m proud of you,” I whispered.
She let out a shaky breath and squeezed me tight. “We’re gonna be okay, honey. One way or another, we’re gonna be okay.”
I nodded into her shoulder, eyes closed, heart heavy. But I wasn’t sure whatokaylooked like anymore. Not after everything we’d been through. Not with my chest still echoing with Nyce’s last words.
“You’re free now.”
Then why the hell did it feel like I’d just been caged all over again?
