Chapter 19
The next morning, Curtis clung to Melissa like a lifeline, his little arms wrapped tightly around her neck. His big, watery eyes stared up at her, full of reluctance. “Mommy, you’re coming back soon, right?”
Melissa’s throat tightened, and her chest ached as she fought back the tears threatening to spill. Forcing a gentle smile, she kissed his cheek. “Of course, sweetheart. Be good, listen to Daddy, and don’t cause any trouble while I’m gone, okay?”
Curtis’s lower lip quivered, and his eyes turned glassy. “Okay… Goodbye, Mommy. I’ll wait for you.”
“Goodbye, Curtis.” Melissa smiled and waved, but the moment she climbed into the car and shut the door, her composure shattered. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
As the car pulled away, she folded in on herself, burying her face in her knees. The quiet sobs quickly turned into deep, uncontrollable cries, her chest hollow and aching as if it had been ripped open.
+38)
The apartment Bradley had arranged for her was spacious and modern, filled with light, but Melissa felt nothing.
She walked in a daze, every step mechanical, until she collapsed onto the couch, curling up into a ball. The room felt cavernous, and she felt impossibly small.
Hours passed, and she didn’t move. Occasionally, tears slid down her cheeks as her mind drifted. She felt paralyzed, unable to shake the emptiness that weighed her down. It wasn’t until her phone rang that she finally stirred, startled out of her daze.
Seeing Bradley’s name on the screen, she quickly wiped her face, trying to compose herself. Clearing her throat, she answered, “Hello?”
“Mommy! Was your class reunion fun?” Curtis’s bright, cheerful voice filled the line, pulling her from the darkness.
Melissa clutched the phone tightly, her heart aching and lifting all at once. She forced a light, playful tone. “Of course, it was fun! What about you? What have you been up to?”
“Daddy taught me how to play chess today!” Curtis said, his excitement bubbling over. “When you come back, I’ll teach you!”
Melissa’s lips quivered as her eyes filled with tears again. “I can’t wait, Curtis.”
“Mommy,” Curtis said softly, his tone full of longing, “I miss you so much.”
Her chest felt like it might shatter. She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her lips together, trying to hold it together. “I miss you too, sweetheart. Mommy will be back in a few days, I promise.”
In the background, Bradley’s deep voice interrupted. “Milton, bath time.”
Curtis groaned dramatically. “Mommy, I gotta go. Daddy says I have to take a bath. Goodnight, Mommy!”
As the line went dead, the silence in the apartment engulfed her again, and the hollow ache in her chest returned with full
force.
The first two days passed in a fog. Melissa barely moved from the couch, her mind clouded with grief. She felt like she was drifting through a haze, unable to focus or even think clearly.
But on the third day, something inside her shifted. She couldn’t keep living like this. The longer she stayed stuck, the harder it would be to pull herself out.
It hit her then: Curtis was stronger than she’d given him credit for. He was adjusting, making the best of the situation, even finding joy in his new environment. The person who couldn’t let go-the one clinging too tightly—was her.
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11:58 Sat, 19 Jul W
Chapter 19
If she was going to move forward, she needed to stop dwelling on the past and start building a future.
It was time to focus on herself again. Time to get her life back on track.
95%
Melissa had always been a top performer, from her school days to college. She’d graduated with honors and even delivered the valedictorian speech at her graduation ceremony. If it weren’t for what had happened three years ago, her career would have been thriving by now.
Enough excuses. It was time to take action. She pulled out her laptop and got to work on her résumé.
38)
Her major had been fashion design, and while she hadn’t worked in the field for the past three years, she’d stayed up-to-date on industry trends and often sketched designs in her spare time. She hadn’t fallen out of touch-she just needed an opportunity to prove herself.
She found several openings at top companies and targeted fashion designer roles. With a new sense of purpose, she sent out application after application, tailoring her résumé to fit each position.
By the time she closed her laptop, the sun had already dipped low in the sky, casting a warm orange glow across the room. For the first time in days, she felt a flicker of hope.
She wasn’t just waiting anymore-she was doing something, building something. And that gave her the strength to keep going.
After lunch, she decided to go for a walk and explore the neighborhood to pass the time. The area was peaceful and well- maintained, with neatly trimmed hedges and lush greenery.
