Etched in this Moment by Calla Zae

Author:Calla Zae
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781952820267
Publisher: Linh Nguyen-Ng

Fourteen

Sofia

* * *

During the ride back, Theo remained quiet. The contemplative look on his face showed he had a lot on his mind. Had I become a burden to him? Did this incident push him over the edge?

When we got in the house, Theo placed the Christmas tree on the marble counter.

“Are you okay?” I asked as I unpacked the groceries, placing them on the kitchen island.

He took off his coat, hung it over the stool, and sat down. “What did the man look like? What did he say to you? I need all the details, everything you can remember.” His tone was calm, but cold.

I took the stool next to Theo. Something was different about him. “Look at me,” I said.

When he turned, his eyes revealed exhaustion, sadness, and frustration.

“What’s wrong?”

Sighing, he said, “Tell me about this man first. I need details when they’re still fresh in your mind. I’ll alert my men to keep an eye out for him. They can also check the public cameras to see if he showed up on any of them.”

I gave him as many details as possible, but there wasn’t much. He came out of nowhere and left in a hurry.

“You shouldn’t be going out by yourself,” he said.

I didn’t like the reprimanding tone that made me feel small. I knew the risks when I went shopping. I was sick of men dictating my life. I was already hiding from one abuser. I didn’t need another to tell me what to do.

“I thought about the risks, Theo. I’m not stupid.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Your tone begs to differ.” Irritation pricked at me. What had happened between last night and now? What wasn’t he telling me?

Did he regret sleeping with me? Had he had enough time to think about us, realizing he didn’t want any burden?

I rose from the chair. “Look, I’m sorry I got you into this mess. You didn’t have to offer me a place to stay. I can go back home—”

“To where they’re waiting for you?” That tone again.

“I can get a hotel, or I can stay at a friend’s house.” He didn’t need to know my only friend was still angry at me.

My chest hurt as though my heart had crumbled. I lowered my voice because I didn’t have the energy to fight. I didn’t even know how this conversation ended up this way.

I turned away from him, not wanting him to see the tears that welled in my eyes.

Don’t cry, Sofia. No man is worth your tears.

I shouldn’t have opened my heart this wide. Pain could now reach a part of me that had been off-limits. I was in love with someone who would never know.

“I appreciate what you’re doing for me, but I think it’s time for me to go.” I headed to the guest room to gather my things, but he gripped my hand.

“No, don’t. Don’t go.”

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.