He turned and walked out, closing the door behind him, signaling that what we had had come to an end. Every dream, every hope I had dared to cling to about us shattered in that moment.
“I dreamed of a life with you, Avit Safin,” I whispered, my voice breaking. My knees gave way, and I sank to the floor, pressing my hands to my chest as the pain exploded through me like an electric shock.
I wanted to scream, to rage, to fight, but all that came out were choked sobs. The man I had loved, the man I had givenpieces of my soul to, was gone…forever. And now…so was any life we could have had.
I curled into myself on the floor, the world narrowing down to the ache in my chest, the grief in my throat, and the tears that wouldn’t stop. My time with Avit was over. My life had shifted on its axis, and there were hard choices to make, and not much time to make them in.
I stood shakily, made my way to the nightstand, and reached for my phone. My fingers trembled as I sent Mandy a text, asking her to come for me. Her reply was immediate—she would, and to send the address. I did, my hands still unsteady.
Slowly, I made my way to my desk and packed away all my books, then my laptop into my knapsack. Next, I went to the closet, removed my duffel bag, and only packed the clothes that I had before marrying Avit. I refused to take anything that would remind me of him; the baby growing in my belly would be a reminder enough.
I blocked every number—his family, and their guards. The only contact I kept was Wexler’s. Once the divorce papers were signed, I’d block him, too, change my number, disconnect completely from the life I had grown to love, grown to feel accepted in.
I had no clue where my father’s body was, but I hoped Wexler could help. When the time came, I would have his remains cremated, his ashes scattered in the ocean to be free, like he'd always wanted to be.
After one last look around the room, I inhaled deeply. Then I made my way out of the bedroom, down the stairs, and through the front door, for the last time.
It took everything in me not to look back as I stepped through the front gate. My past offered nothing. As for my future? I wasn’t sure I was ready for it.
Chapter 21 - Avit
My ears perked up when I heard her footsteps on the stairs. I stood in the kitchen, shoulders tensed, palms digging into the countertop. I had been glaring at an empty glass on the counter next to a bottle of vodka. I forced myself to stay where I was, my jaw locked so fucking tight I thought it was going to shatter.
Then it came. The soft click of the front door, shutting behind her, ending whatever inkling of a connection we once shared.
I stayed where I was for a moment, but my body betrayed me, dragging me to the window like a damn fool. I watched her walk across the yard toward the gate, her shoulders stiff, her head high like she wasn’t leaving behind something worth looking at.
I waited…
God, I waited…for her to glance back.
Just once.
Just enough for me to know that she didn’t actually want to go. That this was grief, not rejection. That she needed space, not distance.
But Ms. Romonoff never looked back.
No hesitation, not a damn blunder in her step.
Then I noticed something. She only had her knapsack and the small duffel bag her clothes came in when she moved in here. Is that how badly she wanted to forget about me? About us? She left everything I purchased for her behind?
I had gotten my answer.
I texted Wexler, fingers hitting the screen harder than necessary:Ms. Romonoff is no longer your responsibility. Last task: see her safely to wherever she’s going. After that, she’s out of my life.
Ten minutes later, he confirmed she was picked up by Mandy, and he was following them.
She was gone.
Whatever she did with her life now was none of my fucking business anymore.
I knew this day would come. It was inevitable. She made her choice to get away from me, and I would return the favor.
She wanted distance?
She wanted out?
She wanted her freedom?
