Home, Finally, Without Him

m was home more often, but it was just for show. He would leave every morning in his

me cloying, sweet sc

so used to the smell, so used to his lies, that I was just tired. The anger was

ought of bringing another child into this toxic, broken home made me feel phy

r than usual. He found me in my

he announced from the doorway. "

nd. I just kept sta

y,"

lling the small space. "Is there anyth

s a performance. He was buying his freedom with the promise of a trinket. The off

. "I don' t w

is frustration. "Fine. Be that wa

s toys, my phone buzzed. It was a friend r

me was

have him; she wanted to invade every part of my life. Against my better judgment, my finger hovere

cce

y, a message noti

eeling better after the acciden

, so shameless, it alm

ed at the screen, my heart p

selfie of her, pouting at the camera. She was in what looked like a

tly. It was Liam' s. A stylized compass he

beautiful this time

t the photo to prove it, to rub my face in their af

d appeared, the message was go

, the rumpled hotel sheets. It was the final, brutal confirmation.

. It clattered onto

l toys, and I felt nothing. The pain was so immense it had become a void. There wer

had t

were steady now. I didn' t call

ivorce lawyer in the city. Then, I di

ice calm and even. "I need to make an appointme

receptionist said. "W

early as possible. I want to sche

silence on the oth

tionist said softly. "I' l

choosing myself. I was choosing a future for me and Lily that wasn't poisoned by him. T

a tragedy. It

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