I tried to tell myself it was over.
I packed boxes in silence, sealing them with shaky hands, trying not to remember the way he held me down against black silk sheets. The way he whispered my name like it already belonged to him. The way his voice made every wall between us disappear.
Moving out was supposed to mean a clean break. But that night, the neighborhood was too quiet. The air was thick again, pressing against my skin like heat. I could feel him watching me even when I couldn’t see him.
I stepped out onto my porch one last time. The porch light flickered softly. His house was dark, except for the faint glow spilling from the upstairs window. I should have gone back inside. Instead, I wrapped my arms around myself and stared at that light like it was pulling me in.
I didn’t hea
