They all will get what’s coming to them. One day when they least expect it, when they feel like my words meant nothing and was just an empty threat, is when I’ll attack. When they grow so comfortable in their cushy lives, they’ll be stripped of everything.
6
Izzy
“Dr. Dickhead is here.” Viv comes rushing around the corner of our station, and my stomach instantly knots up with dread. I don’t understand why he won’t leave me alone. It’s been weeks, yet he’s still calling me and showing up everywhere I turn. He even came to campus the other day and waited for me outside my class. I don’t even know how he knows my schedule. It’s not something we ever talked about. In fact, looking back now, I realize we didn’t talk much about me at all. Our two topics of conversation were Alex and sex.
His work. His patients. All the praise he was getting from esteemed colleagues. And sex. I think we spent more time talking about sex than anything else.
“I’m going on break,” I tell her. “Can you cover for me?”
“Absolutely.” She grins an evil grin as she starts to get his ice water ready, making sure to squeeze the dirty rag into his glassbefore she drops the lemon wedges in. God, I love her. Between her and Shayna, I never would’ve gotten through this. But I’m already feeling like my heart is starting to mend itself back together. Now, when I see Alex’s face, I only want to punch him. Which I think is a really good sign in my healing process.
“I’ll make sure he gets the best service.” She winks before she heads to the table, and I head straight back to the breakroom. I’ve got an hour to kill and have completely lost my appetite after seeing the dirty water fill his cup, so I dig my phone out for a distraction.
“Four missed calls!”
I’m immediately dialing Shayna’s number, and when I hear the sobs break on the other end of the phone, I’m panicked.
“Shay, what happened? What’s wrong?” Oh God. Please tell me she’s all right.
“It’s over, Izz.” She cries harder. “Lincoln ended things between us.”
God, I hate men. I knew this was going to happen. From the very first moment she told me they were together, I knew it was a bad idea. But just like me, she probably fell for every line.
“What happened?”
“We ran into Melinda Williams.”Our old case worker?My stomach knots up just thinking about that kind woman seeing them together. She was probably horrified. After all, Officer Price is the man Mrs. Williams called on to help bail Shayna out of jail.
She starts going into the details, and my phone begins blowing up with texts. One after another, after another.
Unknown Number:Don’t run from me, Izabelle. I’m trying to explain everything.
Unknown Number:I can’t take this for much longer. It’s been too long without you.
Unknown Number:I love you so much, my special girl.
I ignore every single text, focusing on Shayna. When she breaks down into another heart-wrenching sob, I tell her I’m coming. She needs me. “Let me get my shifts covered and I’ll be there.”
“No. Actually, I was wondering if I could come stay with you for a few weeks? Just until I figure out a job and find an apartment.”
“You can stay with me for as long as you want.” She could move in with me if she wanted. I’ve missed her. And I won’t lie, I could use a buffer between me and the obsessive doctor who keeps trying to show up at my door. I had to stay with Viv three nights in a row because he was practically camped outside my apartment.
“He’s gone,” Viv says, coming into the breakroom right as I’m ending my call. She has something in her hand. “He left this on the table with the check. Do you want to open it, or do you want me to burn it?”
“You can look inside and decide.”
Her eyes go round as soon as she opens it.
“It’s money. A lot of it. And there’s a note. It says, ‘I’ll always take care of you, Izabelle. Anything you want or need I’ll buy for you. I’m going to give you the life you deserve. I’m sorry that I didn’t spoil you more, but I promise to make it up to you.’”
“He thinks money will make up for the lies?” I can’t even fathom what he’s thinking. And I find it hilarious that the entire year we were dating, he only bought me lingerie and sex toys. I stupidly overlooked his obnoxious gifts because I was too lovestruck by his cock. I overlooked a lot of things. Too many red flags that should’ve had me running ages ago.
“Wow! It’s two thousand dollars,” she gasps.
She hands me the money, and I don’t even want to touch it. It feels like it’s going to burn my hands. The man has a problem. He won’t leave me alone and it’s getting to be borderlineconcerning. I’ve made my stance very clear, yet he’s not taking no for an answer. Now, he thinks money is going to make up for all the lies.
When my phone buzzes with another text from an unknown number, it proves my point. He just won’t stop.
