Page 118 of Company Ink

Actions have consequences, no matter the intention.

And this is his.

Ours.

"Lucy, I'm back," I call out from the hallway, dropping the car keys on the console table.

I packed a small suitcase with me, a few items to tide me over until I move. I need to email our landlord and inform him that we're going to break our lease. Monique and I will split the cost, maybe a couple of grand but it's the only option, I can't afford that place by myself.

"Lucy?"

Where is she?

I make my way into the dining room and find my aunt slumped over, staring at a letter on the table, her expression unreadable.

"Luce, are you okay?" I ask, taking a seat next to her. "What's wrong?"

Lucy gives me a flat look before passing me the piece of paper. "She got in."

My eyebrows knit together as I scan the letter.

New Vision Medical Center....New York City.... Experimental TBI recovery program... Fifty patients... one-year program...

My eyes spring open with joy. "Oh my God! Lucy!" I exclaim. "This is incredible! This is—" I look over at my aunt who's teary-eyed, her bottom lip quivering. "Why...why are you crying? I don't understand..."

Lucy wipes a lone tear from under her eye. "My company won't let me transfer," she cries. "I talked to my manager and she said that there are no open positions in New York. I can't quit, Cassandra, I'll lose my pension."

"But you can afford the treatment?" I ask gently. "You mentioned before that it's kind of pricey."

Lucy takes a deep steadying breath. "Ness's doctor pulled some strings and they're offering us a partial bursary. I can afford it,barely, but I can."

I bite my lip, thinking.

New York. The land of opportunity. Fashion. Culture. A fresh start. Away from Adrian. Away from Blake. Away from this mess I created.

"I'll take her," I state, nodding my head. "I'll go to New York with Ness."

My aunt tilts her head. "Cassie, but your life is here. I can't ask you to—"

"What life?" I ask, almost chuckling. "I don't have a job. In two-weeks I won't have an apartment. Mom and dad are leaving in a few days. My best friend's getting married. I don't have a... I have no ties anymore, Luce. Just you and Ness." A sense of resolve courses through my body.

"I'll do it! God, this is actually perfect! I've always wanted to go to New York, you know that. I'll start applying for jobs right now. Hell, maybe I'll even take a course or two, beef up my resume."

This is exactly what I need. I can't stay in Seattle. Too many memories. Too many things have happened.

"Cassie... I don't know. New York is expensive. You'd have to rent out a place, pay for food, transportation..."

I shake my head, my eyes lighting up. "I have savings! For once in my life, I have savings. Let me do this for you, Lucy.Please.Let me do this. Let me help. Let me be part of the solution."

Lucy studies me intently. "I don't want you to do this just because you feel guilty about what happened. Because it was not your fault, Cassie. It wasn't. I don't want you to feel like you're obligated to—"

I grab my aunt's hand. "Lucy—" My eyes lock onto hers. "I'm not doing this out of guilt. I need this. Ineedto leave. If anything, I'm doing this for purely selfish reasons."

My auntie nods her head. "Promise? Because I don't want you to think—"

"Yes." I let out a light laugh. "I promise."

Lucy sucks in a sharp breath. "Okay, I guess it's time to tell Ness."

---