For good measure, I blocked him.
Any other communication between him and me would be with my parents doing the contacting.
I would never reach out to him again.
With shaking with rage fingers, I hauled on my boots and headed to the door.
Navigating the elevator was fairly easy.
The apartment that I had was advertised as “blind-friendly.”
They really were, too. That was one of the main reasons I had moved so far away. That and getting away from Joseph.
The place was well set up, spacious, navigated easily with a cane, and had stuff that announced what floor you were on, how to get to certain places, and had emergency phones everywhere.
There was also a 24-7 attendant who hung out in the lobby that would help you with anything you needed.
It was state of the art, and Joseph had paid for everything when my parents had threatened to sue the pants off of them.
They’d given us a large lump sum to “pay us off” and “keep us quiet.”
Truthfully, his mom and dad had given me three million dollars to go away. I’d agreed but had to sign an NDA to never tell anyone what had happened.
I’d disagreed, and they’d paid me without the NDA.
I’d keep my mouth shut.
It would be easier that way.
The elevator ride took two minutes—being on the fourth floor, with a slow elevator, was fun sometimes.
When I arrived in the lobby, it was to hear the attendant talking to someone.
Ignoring them, I headed to where I knew the dumpsters were.
“Ms. Howe,” I heard the attendant call. “Is something wrong?”
I rubbed angrily at my face, only now realizing I was crying.
“Uh,” I hesitated. “Yeah, actually. I…”
“Bindi?”
I stopped.
Why did that voice sound so familiar?
“Um, yes?” I said, turning as if it would help me figure out his identity better if I was facing him.
“It’s Garrett…” He paused and corrected himself. “Gee. You called me Gee.”
Then it hit me like a battering ram.
He was here? What were the odds?
My mouth fell open. “Gee?”
“Yeah.” He moved closer. “What are you doing here?”