The morning sun slid through my blinds, pale and hesitant, as though it knew how fragile I felt. I hadn’t slept much—Anthony’s words had wrapped around me like chains, tightening every time I closed my eyes. But when dawn came, so did my resolve.
Another interview. Another chance.
I pulled my best blazer from the closet, smoothing the fabric as though ironing out my doubts. My reflection in the mirror looked composed, but I could see the cracks beneath the surface—eyes ringed with fatigue, mouth pressed too tight. Still, I forced a smile. I needed to believe I could do this.
The office tower loomed like a glass giant against the sky. I checked in at the front desk, the receptionist offering me a smile I couldn’t quite return. Sitting in the waiting area, I whispered reminders under my breath. You are capable. You are worthy. This is your life, not his.
When my name was called, I stood with practiced confidence. The interview itself went smoothly—questions I had prepared for, answers I delivered clearly. For the first time in weeks, I felt steady.
But the look exchanged between the two panelists told me everything before the words left their mouths.
“Thank you for coming in, Ms. Hattaway. We’ll be in touch,” one said, his polite smile not reaching his eyes.
By the time I reached the lobby, my phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
My stomach twisted coldly. Against my better judgment, I answered the call.
“Strike two,” Anthony’s voice oozed through the speaker, triumphant and poisonous. “How many more times before you realize no one wants you?”
I hung up before he could finish, my hand trembling. Rage burned in my chest, but underneath it was something sharper—clarity. I couldn’t keep living this way, clawing at scraps of freedom while he poisoned every opportunity.
I stepped out into the street, and instead of heading home, I walked straight to the nearest travel agency. The decision came to me not as a thought, but as instinct, pure and unstoppable.
The woman behind the counter looked up with a practiced smile. “Good afternoon, how may I help you?”
“One ticket,” I said, my voice steady. “One way. To Rome.”
Her fingers paused on the keyboard, surprised, but she didn’t question me. Within minutes, I was holding the slip of paper that felt heavier than gold. My heart hammered as though it knew I had just altered the course of my life.
That night, my small apartment became a battlefield of decisions. I moved quickly, methodically, stuffing clothes into a suitcase, rolling documents into a folder, shoving shoes into the corners. Every zipper that closed felt like slamming a door on Anthony’s grip.
By dawn, I was at the airport, the buzz of travelers around me a strange comfort. The loudspeaker called out flights, children tugged at parents’ sleeves, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel trapped.
At the check-in counter, I handed over my passport and ticket. The agent gave me a nod, sliding back my boarding pass.
Gate 18. Rome.
Before heading through security, I pulled out my phone. My thumb hovered for a moment—hesitation, regret, fear—but then I pressed down. One by one, I deleted messages, erased call logs, and finally, removed the SIM card. It clinked against the bottom of a trash bin with finality. Anthony’s shadow couldn’t reach me here. Not in the clouds. Not across the ocean.
I closed my eyes and whispered to myself, “You’re not gonna see me again. Goodbye, Anthony.”
