Chapter 14

“Dan, can you come over here for a moment?” I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of anxiety and self-reproach as I sought his attention. As I spoke, both he and Stephany turned to face me, her lips curling into a smirk, as if we were playing a game and she was savoring her lead. “I’ll be there in a minute,” he called back, his tone casual and dismissive.

I stood there, my body quaking slightly; a chill ran through me, and an overwhelming urge to rush to the bathroom clawed at my insides. I took a deep breath and assessed the situation, a realization dawning on me: I was actually good at this. But then the question hit me like a punch to the gut. Why was I being punished for the whims of a man who had been so eager for my attention just hours earlier? He didn’t deserve my consideration or my heart.

I stepped back inside, the weight of my decision pressing heavily on my chest, and hurriedly packed every piece of clothing I had brought with me. There was no point in clinging to a man who didn’t truly love me. As I folded a sweater, I heard his voice cutting through the tense silence. "What are you doing?"

I turned, and there he was, leaning in the doorway with an air of indifference, as if my departure was merely a child’s tantrum. "I'm doing both of us a favor," I replied, my resolve firming as I tossed a pair of jeans into the bag. The sight of that woman lurking in the house filled me with loathing.

"What favor are you doing yourself by leaving me?" He stepped closer, his expression shifting from boredom to mild irritation. I looked at him, tears brimming in my eyes, fury coursing through me at his dismissive attitude. "We just made love not long ago. Is this really how you talk to me? I thought I meant something to you," I said, my voice trembling as I battled the urge to cry. I refused to let him see me break; that would only serve to boost his ego.

“Argh, don’t overthink it, Emerald. It’s not that deep. We just had sex, and I wasn't the first man you’ve been with, so why are you making this such a big deal? People have sex all the time.” I stood there, my heart pounding, regret washing over me like a cold wave. Why had I let myself be vulnerable? Now I felt like a fool for believing he cared.

"I thought we had something," I said, desperation tightening my throat. "You made me believe you felt something for me." For an instant, I thought I glimpsed a flicker of regret in his eyes, a brief moment where his facade cracked, but just as quickly, he looked away, shutting down any hope I had left.

"You sound like a broken record; you need to stop. Where are you planning to go? You don't have anyone but me." He said, turning to look at me with a straight face, I grabbed my bag, looked at him one more time, and walked past him to the door. My whole body was shaking, and I adjusted my hand on the bag because it kept slipping as I walked down the stairs. "Here, let me help you." He said as he quickly grabbed the bag from my hands, I looked at him in disbelief. He quickly walked down the stairs and then placed my bag next to the door, gave me one last look, and walked upstairs. My ears started ringing, considering how angry I felt, I couldn't even stand still. I looked around for somewhere to sit so I could regain strength, but decided against it. I grabbed my bag and went to my car, and sat there for a moment.

"What happened? Why do you have such a big bag with you?" Tyson questioned, his voice filled with concern, as soon as I stepped into his apartment. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and behind me, my large bag seemed to weigh down the moment. "I can't stay there. Please let me stay with you," I pleaded, my voice cracking as I broke down into heart-wrenching sobs. It felt like a part of my heart had been violently torn away, leaving an unbearable emptiness inside.

"What happened?" He repeated the question as he swiftly moved closer, wrapping his arms around me in a comforting embrace. I clung to his t-shirt, finding solace in his warmth as I cried. "Let's sit down, come on," he urged gently, guiding me away from the open doorway where I stood frozen, the crisp evening air brushing against my skin, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me.

“Stephany showed up at Dan's house and demanded a place to stay. He just agreed without even discussing it with me, without considering how I felt," I confessed, my voice muffled as I wiped my tears with the tissue he offered. I felt utterly foolish, weeping over another guy in front of the one I was beginning to like.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you. He doesn't deserve you," Tyson said softly, pulling me into another hug. I wrapped my arms around him, but then quickly shook my head, trying to dismiss the pity. "It's okay. You don't have to insult your brother to make me feel better." He smiled warmly, shaking his head in disagreement. "He doesn't deserve you, and he's just stupid." I let out a small laugh, the weight of sorrow lifting for a fleeting moment. Yet, the momentary lightness vanished as my mind churned with thoughts of what had transpired, pulling me back down into a sea of sadness and despair.

"Don't think that just because I came to you for help, I've forgotten what you did," I said, narrowing my eyes at him with a mix of suspicion and caution. I still hadn’t figured out his true intentions, but I could sense that I meant more to him than I’d care to admit, despite the tangled history between us. "But thank you for allowing me to stay with you."

"You didn’t ask, but it’s okay, you're welcome to stay," he replied with a light-hearted smile. His easy demeanor eased a bit of the tension between us, and I felt a hint of warmth. I stood up and made my way to the bathroom, desperate to refresh my face. The tears I had shed left my skin feeling parched and uncomfortable.

"Do you have a spare bedroom?" I inquired, glancing back at Tyso as I emerged from the bathroom, feeling slightly more composed. He was already carrying my bag down the hallway, heading towards what I assumed was the guest bedroom.

"Yes, right here," he said, gesturing toward a door at the end of the hall. I followed him inside. The room was cozy, its dimensions a bit smaller than the one at Dan's house, with soft lighting and simple decor that made it feel welcoming. There was a sense of peace in the air, a stark contrast to the turmoil I’d been experiencing. This space might just offer me a moment of respite. My cellphone rang, piercing the heavy silence that enveloped the room. I fished it out of my pocket, half-hoping it would be Dan calling, but the screen displayed an unsaved number, its unfamiliarity unsettling.

A wave of reluctance washed over me, but I ultimately decided to answer the call when I caught Tyson shooting me pointed side glances, his irritation clear. The ringtone seemed to echo louder in the cramped space, and I pressed the phone to my ear, my breath hitching in anticipation. I didn’t say a word, and on the other end, the caller remained unnervingly silent. Casting a glance at Tyson, I felt a rush of vulnerability, unease creeping up my spine. Just as I contemplated hanging up, a chilling, malevolent laughter erupted from the other line, resonating like a haunting specter. Overwhelmed by fear, I quickly dropped the call and hurled the phone onto the bed, my heart racing as panic surged through me.