Chapter 3 - THE FLIGHT THAT NEVER LEFT
My flight was scheduled for three in the afternoon.
At eleven, Madison arrived at my hotel.
She carried two coffees and a bag of pastries.
“Ready to disappear?”
I smiled.
“More than ready.”
Madison had been my best friend since college.
She knew everything.
The marriage.
The divorce.
The pregnancy.
And the fact that I still loved a man who had made me feel unwanted.
She handed me a coffee.
“Decaf.”
I laughed.
“You're becoming annoyingly responsible.”
“Someone has to.”
We packed the last of my things.
Then checked out.
At the airport, I felt strangely calm.
Chicago had been my home for six years.
I had met Vincent here.
Married him here.
Loved him here.
And lost him here.
Now I was leaving.
Madison squeezed my hand.
“New York is going to be good for you.”
I nodded.
“I hope so.”
She smiled.
“You'll have me.”
“And a baby.”
Her eyes softened.
“And a baby.”
We reached the security checkpoint.
Then my phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
I ignored it.
Again.
Ignored.
Then a message appeared.
CLAIRE, PLEASE DON'T BOARD THAT PLANE.
My stomach tightened.
I knew who it was.
Vincent.
I stared at the screen.
Then typed:
You don't get to decide where I go.
His reply came immediately.
I KNOW.
A pause.
Then:
I JUST NEED YOU TO KNOW I WAS WRONG.
I closed my eyes.
Madison looked at me.
“Vincent?”
I nodded.
She took my hand.
“Claire, you don't have to answer.”
“I know.”
My phone vibrated again.
I DIDN'T DIVORCE YOU BECAUSE I STOPPED LOVING YOU.
I stared.
Then another message.
I DIVORCED YOU BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU WERE BETTER OFF WITHOUT ME.
I laughed bitterly.
“Unbelievable.”
Madison frowned.
“What?”
I showed her the message.
She rolled her eyes.
“Men.”
I typed:
Then you should have asked me what I wanted.
Vincent replied:
YOU'RE RIGHT.
I stared at those words.
For three years, I had begged him to listen.
Now he was agreeing.
Too late.
I turned off my phone.
Then walked through security.
But as I approached the gate, a sharp pain twisted through my abdomen.
I stopped.
Madison turned.
“Claire?”
I grabbed her arm.
Another pain.
Stronger.
My vision blurred.
“Madison…”
She caught me.
“Claire!”
May you like
The airport tilted.
And before I could answer, everything went black.
