Chapter 89: Just a Friend
Easter~
I sat on the edge of the couch, clutching my hands together so tightly that my fingers began to hurt. My heart pounded in my chest, beating against my ribs like it was desperate for freedom. Any other morning, my husband would have been gone by now—out of the house by seven, like clockwork. But today? Today, of all days, he sat slouched on the couch, scrolling through his phone with an expression I couldn’t understand.
It was already 9:00 a.m.
He was supposed to be gone.
I stole a glance at the clock on the wall, my stomach twisting. I was supposed to meet Natalie at ten, drop Rose off at daycare, and finally—finally—take the first step toward escaping this nightmare. But he was still here. A heavy presence, a shadow looming over every fragile hope I had managed to build.
I fidgeted, my fingers pulling at the hem of my shirt as if that would somehow stop my anxiety from consuming me. If I asked him outright where he was going or why he was still home, he’d get suspicious. And suspicion always led to punishment.
Just when I thought my chances were slipping away, he suddenly exhaled sharply, slipping his phone into his pocket. "I’m going out," he muttered, pushing himself up.
I froze, barely able to process his words.
Out?
He was actually leaving?
The relief that washed over me was dizzying, but I forced myself to stay calm. I nodded, keeping my expression neutral as I whispered, "Okay."