Chapter 5 - The Mountain Sanctuary
The air in the Blue Ridge Mountains was crisp, clean, and entirely healing.
My grandparents' cabin sat on ten acres of pristine, untouched forest land.
It was a rustic, beautiful place made of thick cedar logs and a massive stone fireplace.
I spent my first month painting the walls, fixing the old plumbing, and restoring the antique furniture.
For the first time in thirty years, I wasn't worrying about Marcus's tuition or someone else's needs.
I was finally living for myself.
The silence of the woods was a stark contrast to the loud, chaotic life I had left behind.
I started a small vegetable garden in the back and spent my evenings reading by the fire.
I finally turned my phone back on, only to find an email from Marcus.
He informed me that he and Chloe had moved into a luxury apartment downtown.
He apologized again, begging for a chance to drive up and see me.
I replied with a short, polite message.
"I am safe and doing well."
"Focus on your marriage, Marcus."
May you like
I wasn't ready to let him back into my sanctuary.
I knew that if he came, the drama of his toxic wife would follow right behind him.
