I swallow hard, forcing down the lump in my throat. I could keep questioning, keep pressing, keep trying to hold him accountable—but right now, I just want peace. I want to pretend, for a little while, that everything will be okay.
So I let the emotions drift away, floating like debris in a river, and I just nod.
“It’s okay,” I whisper, the words slipping from my mouth like a release valve. “Let’s just... move on.”
Timmy pulls me into a tight embrace, burying his face in my neck. His tears dampen my skin, and I feel his body relax against mine as if my forgiveness has given him permission to let go of his guilt.
I stand here, numb, letting him hold me.
Maybe tomorrow I’ll have the strength to unpack what happened. But not tonight.
For now, I’ll take the peace, however fleeting it may be.
123
PIT OF RAGE
DEX
I check her phone records.
This guy has lost the fucking plot. I read with rage.
He’s threatening to kill her. Her cat.
His behavior is escalating.
I feel like I need to book that ticket. Because this shit is getting crazy. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that when people like Timmy tell you what they’re going to do, you should take note. Because there are little signs along the way where they’ll expose themselves if you look hard enough. Hidden in jokes and quiet little comments, as if they’re teasing you with the truth.
In the meantime, I shoot her a text:
Me:
Hey, Margaux. Just checking in to see howyou’re doing.
She takes a while to reply, and my scalp crawls with anxiety as I wait for her response. I can’t stop squeezing my hands into tight fists as I think about slamming Timmy into the ground and pummeling him until he’s a pulpy mess. Because that’s what he deserves, and no more.
Margaux:
Good thanks. You?
Fuck. Maybe I shouldn’t have done that. Maybe he’ll check her phone and think she’s cheating on him with me. He’s so controlling and suspicious. And he’s texting people behind her back.
Can’t she see that? The hypocrisy of this vile ‘man’ she thinks she loves, that she trusts to love her the way she should be.
I feel stupid for texting her. What did I think? That she was going to open up like a book and tell me everything and beg me to come and rescue her?
It looks like she just had a lucky escape from him.
It’s not normal to threaten to kill people. To routinely accuse people of cheating.
But that’s what he does.
Never mind his own shitty behavior.
I’ve known many guys like him. Because he’s the type my mom used to go for.
The charming bad boy. Until he isn’t.