“You know what? I’m through with you. I don’t want to hear another word out of your lying whore mouth. Get the fuck out of my house. Pack your things and go. I don’t care where you end up. I don’t care if I never see you again. In fact,” she adds, viciously ripping the comforter away from me, so I’m fully exposed again. “It would be better for you if I never do. Because if I set my eyes on you again, I will kill you. Do you understand? I will finally be rid of you, one way or another.”

I don’t know what to think. How to feel. All I know is I need to get out of here.

I run out of the bedroom without looking at any of them, fleeing for my own room and slamming the door. I tear the flimsy garment away from me and throw it on the floor, stepping on it on my way to the dresser, where I quickly pull on a hoodie and a pair of leggings. After that, I grab my backpack and jam in as much as I can. It’s the best I can do in a hurry, and I am definitely in a hurry.

My brain never stops turning the entire time. I hear them down the hall, still arguing, with James defending himself while his sons back him up. I would say I can’t believe it, but that’s not true. I wouldn’t put anything past them. It’s like they rehearsed the whole damn thing. Like they had their excuse already and waiting just in case we ever got found out. And, of course, she didn’t believe me. Why would she? She never has. From the beginning, she’s been sure I would ruin this relationship for her.

And the thing is, even now, after she’s rejected me and basically kicked me out of her life, I still want to warn her about who he is, how he is. I seriously doubt I’m the only person who brings this out in him. Eventually, those dark needs of his will have to be fulfilled. Either he does it with her or somebody else—either way, this isn’t going to be the last time a situation like this happens. Even though she’s hurt me more times than I can count, I really hope she’s not the one he decides to hurt.