Page 63 of James

As Saturday morning dawned, Laura's heart felt heavy with her decision. She rose early, the weight of her decision pressing upon her. With quiet determination, she moved through the condo, her steps deliberate and resolute.

In the kitchen, Laura stood amidst the familiar sights and sounds. Her movements purposeful, she rummaged through the fridge and kitchen cabinets. Her mind was occupied with thoughts of departure, but she derived some comfort from the manual labor.

With steady hands, Laura began assembling the ingredients for breakfast, her movements a blend of automatic routine and sentimental reflection. The rhythmic clatter of utensils and the soft crackling of eggs filled the air, creating a soothing white noise to her contemplations.

As the aroma of homemade biscuits filled the kitchen, Laura's gaze lingered on the golden treasures emerging from the oven. It was a bittersweet sight, knowing that she wouldn't be sharing these moments with James for much longer. Yet, determination fueled her actions, pushing her forward on her chosen path.

Buns from the oven and the scrambled eggs sizzling in the pan, the thoughts swirled in Laura's mind. She prepared a small pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice, the citrusy tang a reminder of both the sweetness and the bitterness of her impending departure.

When James entered the kitchen, drawn by the enticing aromas and the subtle tension in the air, their eyes met, and for a moment, the weight of unspoken emotions filled the space between them.

He cleared his throat. “Someone’s been busy,” James said lightly.

“Someone woke up early and didn’t have anything else to do,” Laura replied.

They had finished eating when Laura’s phone rang. It was Det. Stone. Bracing herself, Laura took the call and put it on speaker.

"Ms. Turner?” Det. Stone's tone told Laura all she needed to know, but she said it all anyway. “Mr. Taylor is dead.”

The weight of those four simple words sank deep into her being, stirring a complex blend of emotions. Therewas relief intertwined with sadness, a poignant concoction that left her both conflicted and strangely liberated.

“They don’t believe he suffered,” Det. Stone went on with a professionally distant sort of sympathy. “His neck was broken in the accident and they believe he… couldn’t feel anything. He was unresponsive in the ambulance and was pronounced dead on arrival. Knowing what he’s put you through, I’m sure you must be having mixed feelings right now. I can recommend some grief counseling services, and I strongly encourage you to take advantage of them.”

“Thank you.”

“I also thought you’d like to know about the vehicle involved in the incident,” Det. Stone said. “We found it abandoned late yesterday. It was stolen the day of the accident. We have some forensics and some leads, and we’ll be following up on those, but there’s no reason to believe there’s any connection between the driver and any of you. We’ll keep you informed of any developments.”

“Thank you,” she said again. What else was there to say?

“We’re finished with Mr. Black’s phone. We’d like you to come down at some point today to sit down with the scene investigators for some more questions, and then you can reclaim it.”

“Thanks for calling, Detective. I really appreciate it.” As she set her phone aside, Laura's gaze met James's, his eyes reflecting the complex tapestry of emotions that swirled within her.

The news of Jake's passing brought a sense of closure to the turbulent chapter of her life that she had desperately tried to put behind her. The knowledge lifted the burden of fear and the constant shadows that hadhaunted her existence, but death was not what she’d wished upon Jake.

Laura let out a sigh. It was the end of an era, marked by a life cut short, and a part of her couldn't help but feel a hint of sadness for the lost possibilities and the unresolved wounds that would forever remain.

Laura went into the bedroom and began packing her things.

James followed her into the room, his voice filled with earnestness and a touch of desperation. “Why don’t you at least leave a few things here? It will be more convenient for when you’re over. Or better yet, forget this idea of going back to your duplex. There’s lots of room here. This last week, having you here all the time has felt so perfect to me. I was afraid I was going to lose you when Jake turned up again. I love you, Laura. Don’t you know that?”

Laura's movements came to a halt, her eyes meeting James' with a mixture of surprise and apprehension. “That’s not possible, James,” she said, the disbelief clear in her voice. “We’ve only known each other for a few months. You can’t be in love with me already. You just can’t.”

“We’ve known each other as long as your dad and Mrs. Beatrice. Are you going to tell them they’re not really in love?”

“I… Of course not, but it’s different!”

James stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. “Laura, I do love you. What’s wrong with that? We met almost six months ago now and we’ve been together for three and a half. I want you with me.”

Laura's heart ached as conflicting emotions washed over her. Her hands trembled slightly as she continued packing her belongings. “I’m sorry, James. I can’t do this.Everything is too mixed up right now. I need to go home. Will you please take me?” she asked as she closed her suitcase.

“Don’t do this, Laura,” James pleaded. “Don’t run away from me. We’ve got something really great here and I don’t want to lose it or you. Please reconsider.”

The weight of her decision hung heavy in the air, the uncertainty casting a shadow over her decision.So this is how a cornered mouse feels. But this rodent has claws.

Laura straightened. “Do I need to use my safeword, James?”

“Of course not. I’ll take you. Let me get my keys,” James replied, his voice laced with a mix of resignation and longing.

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