Chapter 3 - The Sanctuary
Claire’s apartment was everything my house was not: small, messy, and infinitely safe. As soon as I heard the deadbolt click behind us, the adrenaline that had been keeping me upright suddenly evaporated. I collapsed onto her velvet sofa and finally, after hours of holding it in, I sobbed.
I cried for the marriage I thought I had. I cried for the years I had wasted apologizing for things I didn't do.
"Breathe," Claire said, sitting beside me and pulling my head onto her shoulder, just like she did when we were kids. "He's blocked on your phone. Lily is watching cartoons in the bedroom. You did it. The hardest part is over."
But we both knew that wasn't true.
At 10:00 A.M., my phone buzzed on the coffee table. I hadn't blocked his mother yet.
Message from Helen: Marcus just called me in tears. What is going on? Why did you steal Lily away? You need to come home right now and fix this.
He was already spinning the story. He was playing the heartbroken, abandoned husband to his family.
"Give me the phone," Claire said, snatching the device. She blocked Helen's number without hesitation. "No flying monkeys allowed."
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"He's going to destroy my reputation," I whispered, staring at my trembling hands.
"Let him try," Claire said, her eyes flashing with a dangerous kind of fire. "Because tomorrow, we’re going to see a lawyer. A very specific kind of lawyer."
