Chapter 39: Decision to Leave
TERESA’S P.O.V.
The city lights shimmered through my apartment window, it brighten up my apartment in a way that somehow felt mocking. My gaze was fixed on the horizon, where the neon signs and headlights blurred into a quiet dance, their brightness contrasting the ache in my chest. I could feel the weight of today pressing down on me, heavy and relentless, like a wound that hadn’t stopped bleeding.
Across from me, Luke sat in silence, his brow furrowed in a blend of confusion and concern. He had arrived just minutes ago, explaining that he’d been at a school event with his wife and children when I’d called. Guilt twisted in my chest—I knew I was pulling him away from his family once again. But selfishly, I couldn’t deny that his presence was like a soothing balm to the storm raging inside me. I spilled every tangled thought, words tumbling out as I struggled to make sense of the ache in my heart.
"I didn’t even make it into his office, Luke," I murmured, my voice barely a whisper. The words felt raw, each syllable scraping against the back of my throat. "I... I heard him shouting at Kenneth..." My voice trembled, the memory hitting me anew.
Luke’s face scrunched in puzzlement. "Wait—Kenneth? Who’s Kenneth again?"
I took a steadying breath, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "Lucian’s personal assistant," I explained. He nodded, signaling for me to continue, his eyes never leaving mine.
I swallowed hard, fighting the sting of humiliation. "Lucian told Kenneth never to mention my name to him, ever again," I said, voice breaking on the last word. "They didn’t know I was just outside the door, and the way Lucian said it... his voice, it was filled with such... disgust." I clenched my fists, feeling the bitterness well up. "It felt like he slapped me, Luke. Like I was something shameful, something he couldn’t even bear to acknowledge."
Luke’s expression shifted, his brow furrowing as he absorbed my words. "Lucian said that? About you?" His tone was soft but edged with disbelief, and in his eyes, I saw a flicker of anger.
I nodded, feeling my cheeks burn hotter, the sting of embarrassment and rejection prickling my skin. "I didn’t let him see me. I just turned and ran before he could even know I was there." My hands curled around my arms as if shielding myself from the memory. The sharpness in Lucian’s voice still echoed in my mind, each word heavy and cruel. I felt exposed, as though every vulnerability had been laid bare before him.