Past
Sometimes, the most important lessons in life are the ones we learn the hard way.
I finish stuffing the rest of Caroline’s clothes into my suitcase and zip it up as hot tears roll down my burning cheeks.
I can’t keep putting myself through this. I’ve tried everything to make it work. To get him help. To fight for him. But he’s given up, and if I don’t leave now, he’ll drag Caroline and me to hell with him. I know running to Linc’s arms might not be the right answer but I need him. I need someone to helpmefor once, because right now, everything seems so hopeless. Dean refuses to take his medicine. He refuses to go to rehab. The final straw came last night when I gave him an ultimatum.
Get help or we’re gone.
He became so enraged he began throwing things and tearing up the house and Caroline saw it all. I can’t continue to live like this.
I won’t.
And even though I’m terrified about what he’ll do if I leave, I’m afraid of what will happen to us if I don’t.
Lugging the suitcase down the stairs, I stop cold when I find Dean waiting for me at the bottom.
“Where are you going?” he asks.
Swallowing hard, I lift my chin, trying to stomp down the fear. “We’re leaving.” I finally manage to get the words out once I reach the last step.
He paces the floor, frantically sweeping his free hand through his disheveled hair. “No.”
“Dean, I just think—”
“No!” he roars. “I won’t let you go.” There’s desperation in his voice and it almost has me caving. I don’t want to hurt him any more than he already does but I have to remind myself that we’ve been down this road too many times before.
It’s over.
I have to end this.
Otherwise, it will end us both.
“I just can’t do this anymore.” I hold his gaze, his eyes wide and unfocused.
He reaches behind his back, revealing a revolver. I freeze in fear. “I can’t live without you.” His dark brown eyes peer down at me, his hard gaze cold and unforgiving.
“Dean, please don’t do this.”
A single tear slips down my cheek. His eyes are on fire, pain and anger swirling together in a devastating storm destined for destruction. I feel like I’m trapped inside of a burning house with no one to save either of us and no way out.
