Page 95 of Ruin Me
“I was so sure… You were the last of—I’ll go, but if you hear from her?—”
“I’ll let her decide if she wants to speak to you. However, if she listens to me, you won’t hear from her ever again.” A door slammed after Emily cut Kent’s plea short.
A few minutes passed when she whispered, “Madison? If you’re still here, you can come out now.”
I pushed the attic door and descended into the room.
“I am so happy you hid up there and didn’t jump out the window.” Emily clutched her chest.
“I thought about it, but Kent probably has people watching outside. Thank God you live in a place with an attic.”
“So that is Kent. Girl, you sure know how to pick them. Are you sure you don’t want to go back to him? That specimen is a national treasure.”
“Emily, please. I’m weak as it is. Don’t tempt me when you know I can’t.” I sat on the bed, deflated and feeling Kent’s loss anew.
Emily picked up her phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling my friend, the make-up artist. The sooner we get your new face, the sooner you get out of the country.”
Two days after we photographed my face full of prosthetics for one set of passport pictures, Emily barged into her condo frantic and out of breath.
“What’s wrong?” I pulled her toward the couch and went to the kitchen to pour her a glass of water.
She took the cup with shaky hands. “Thanks.”
I sat and waited while she drained the glass.
“I have bad news. I went to your place to start labeling things per the moving company’s instructions.”
“And?” I asked after she lapsed into silence.
“Either someone robbed you or Kent took everything.”
I shook my head because I must have misheard her. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“The place was so empty, not even a dust bunny had the nerve to make that place its home. Well, except for this.” Emily handed me an envelope.
I ripped it open. The message inside was terse.
If you want your belongings, you know where to find them.
“What does it say?” Emily asked.
“He isn’t giving up.” I handed her the note and dropped my head onto her lap while she read the letter.
“Now I understand why you insisted on going where he doesn’t have reach. You’re about to turn him into a stalker. Actually, he kind of already is. You know, he showed up at everyone’s house looking for you? The entire office was abuzz about it. Are you sure he isn’t dangerous?”
“Not to me, he isn’t.” I covered my eyes with my arm, but couldn’t prevent tears from leaking out of the corner of my eyes. “I miss him so much, Emily. Every second of every day. All I think about is being in his arms.”
She stroked my hair. “Madison, is sacrificing him worth keeping your promise?”
“I don’t know. I hope so? I need it to be.” I curled onto my side and stifled my sob.
For hours, Emily comforted me although I was inconsolable. My eyes swelled until I couldn’t keep them open any longer. At some point, I fell asleep.
The next morning, I woke up drained and listless, counting the days until I put more distance between me, Kent, and all the memories I wasn’t able to relive yet without gut-wrenching sorrow.