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He looked at me with such sadness as he whispered no “I’m sorry, Rory,” he said as he took a step closer to me I never meant to—”

“Stop,” I said as I put up my hand “Don’t come any closer to me, please” I couldn’t take any more of his bullshit The way he manipulated ive you what you want I wish I could, but I can’t,” he said

At that moment, I realized that I couldn’t do this anyirl, or whatever the hell I was to hi uncontrollably

“Sweetheart, please,” he said

I put ritted teeth

“I’m sorry, Rory,” he said as he walked out and shut the door

I couldn’t breathe It felt like a ton of bricks was sitting on ot down on the floor and crawled into the corner I curled into a ball and silently cried After about an hour, I went into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror My mascara-stained eyes were red and swollen anddown it I washedand I just wanted to sleep I had to make a plan to leave I picked up e

“I need your help, please”

“What happened, sweetie? Are you okay?”

“I need to leave here and I haven’t gotten word yet onas you need to”

“Thank you I’ll call a cab because I can’t take the car”

“We can pick you up?”

“No, I don’t want to run the risk of Ian seeing you I’ll see you soon Thank you”

“See you soon and I’ll open a bottle of wine and box of chocolates”

I took the bag down fro I needed I stood in the full-length ave iven me I removed it from my neck and laid it out on the dresser I ju and left it on the bed while I went and checked the house I walked down the hall to Ian’s bedroom, and I nervously knocked on the door

“Ian?” I called

There was no answer I slowly opened the door and gasped when I saw the mess The room was in shambles All the blankets were ripped off the bed, the chair and end table were turned over, and there were clothes lying all over the floor I walked back tofrom the bed, I walked downstairs and hit the keys on the piano one last time before I left I heard a horn beep and I stepped outside I threw ave the driver Adalynn’s address As the cab started to pull away, I softly placed le tear fell from my eye

Chapter 24

“Aeetie, come here,” Adalynn said as she held her ar

“Adalynn, I—I…”

“I knoeetie Let’s go sit down and you can tell me what happened”