He doesn’t even flinch.
Turning around, he stalks inside his house and slams his door shut behind him.
I ruined us.
My entire body trembling like a leaf, I force myself to slip inside the driver’s seat. I stare at his house, stupidly waiting for him to come out and tell me he was joking. That he didn’t mean the things he said to me.
What happened to the man who loved me? A week apart and he’s reduced us to a fling? All because I asked him for the truth?
Crippled by his heartlessness, I drive away.
The farther I go, the more confused I become. The drastic change in him baffles me. He’s never been this vicious with me, even at his lowest.
I’m protecting you.
His words echo in my head. Was he protecting me again? Is that what it was?
Slamming on the brakes, I halt in the middle of the highway. Other cars honk at me, the drivers shouting if I’m insane. Ignoring them, I turn the car around the intersection and drive back toward Nathan’s house.
I vowed to never leave him, no matter what. I vowed to face every obstacle together, even if it’s him. I vowed to love every side of him, especially the ugly ones.
I’m not going back on my word.
I arrive back at his place more than an hour later because of rush hour and jump out of my car. Summoning all my strength to fight him, if need be, I bang on his door.
Only to stumble when it falls open.
What the hell?
I stagger inside the hallway. I’m greeted by an eerie silence that sends a fearful shiver skating down my spine.
“Nathan?” I call out.
My voice echoes from the walls.
“Nathan?” I yell louder, entering the deserted living room. The sinister energy swirling in the air raises the small hair on the back of my neck. “Where are you?”
I head for the kitchen and dining area.
Where could he possibly go?
What if he’s drinking agai-
“Nathan!” I scream, my horrified eyes landing on his prone form on the floor. I run toward him, almost tripping in the process. Falling to my knees, I grab his shoulders and shake him hard. “Nathan! Wake up!”
His head lolls to the side, a gnash on his forehead. But my attention is stolen by white foam bubbling from his lips at a rapid pace.
That only happens when-
“No! No! No!” I chant, my world coming to a stop. “W-What did you do, Nathan?”
I check his pulse when my frantic gaze catches on a half empty bottle of pills on the other side of him. He wouldn’t, would he?
More foam gathers from his mouth, frightening my bones. I turn his big body to the side with all my might, so he doesn’t choke on it. I don’t know what else to do. Panic bleeds into the edge of my vision.
I don’t even have my phone, stupidly leaving it in the car.
Checking Nathan’s pants pocket, I feel for his phone. When I do, I yank it out. It takes me two tries to call the one-zero-eight emergency number.
