Chapter 7 - THE NIGHT HE FOUND ME AGAIN
Ryan appeared outside the hospital on a Thursday evening.
I had just finished a shortened shift.
My supervisor had approved temporary scheduling changes while I recovered.
For the first time in weeks, I'd eaten breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
My hands no longer shook constantly.
The bruises were fading.
I was beginning to feel human again.
Then I saw him.
He stood beside the employee entrance wearing the navy coat I'd bought him for his birthday.
He smiled.
That smile used to make me happy.
Now it made my stomach turn.
“Amanda.”
I stopped.
He approached.
“Baby.”
“Don't.”
His smile faltered.
“Come on. We need to talk.”
“No.”
He looked around.
“Not here.”
“I don't want to talk to you.”
His expression hardened.
“You've embarrassed me enough.”
My heart began pounding.
I took a step backward.
Ryan noticed.
Then softened his voice.
“I'm sorry.”
I stared.
“I've been under pressure.”
The familiar words.
The familiar excuse.
The familiar beginning of another cycle.
He stepped closer.
“I miss you.”
I swallowed.
“Then you should have treated me differently.”
His smile disappeared.
“Amanda.”
I reached for my phone.
“Please leave.”
He caught my wrist.
Not hard.
Not yet.
But I recognized the warning.
“Don't make this difficult.”
A voice spoke behind him.
“Let go of her.”
Ryan turned.
Aleandro stood near the entrance.
He wore a black overcoat.
Marco waited several feet behind him.
Ryan's face changed.
Recognition.
Fear.
Then anger.
“Raldi.”
Aleandro looked at his hand.
“Release her.”
Ryan obeyed.
I stepped backward.
Aleandro didn't touch me.
He looked at me.
“Would you like me to call security?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
Ryan laughed bitterly.
“So that's what this is?”
I stared at him.
He looked between us.
“You left me for him?”
Something inside me finally snapped.
“No.”
My voice was louder than I intended.
Several people turned.
I didn't care.
“I left because you hurt me.”
Ryan went still.
I continued.
“I left because I was afraid to sleep in my own apartment.”
His face darkened.
“Amanda—”
“No.”
I stepped forward.
“You don't get to rewrite what happened.”
Aleandro remained silent.
He let me speak.
For once, nobody interrupted me.
Hospital security arrived.
Ryan looked at them.
Then at me.
His expression turned cold.
“You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into.”
I swallowed.
“Maybe not.”
Then I looked him directly in the eyes.
“But I'm done letting you decide what happens to me.”
Security escorted him away.
My knees nearly gave out.
Aleandro stepped closer.
“Are you all right?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
He nodded.
“That's okay.”
I looked at him.
Then whispered, “Can you stay?”
His expression softened.
May you like
“Yes.”
And he did.
