Page 34 of Accidental Love

“There you are,” she commented, standing up and grabbing a clip board as well as a familiar item—my bag. “The firefighters that got you found this bag and I believe it is yours?”

“Yes, thank you!” I grabbed it and quickly went through it. My wallet, lipstick, and a few pieces of gum were in it, but my cell phone was nowhere to be found.

“There are just a few forms you need to sign, then you will be on your way back to your fiancé.”

I didn’t have it in me to argue with her and just nodded. I quickly signed the forms.

“How do I pay for this? I can pay with my credit card…” I trailed off.

“Don’t worry, sweetie. It has all been taken care of.” She waved me off, setting the board down.

“What? But I haven’t paid yet.” I was surprised.

“You don’t need to. Someone else already paid it in full, so don’t worry.”

Shocked, I wondered who would pay for me, but before I could think too much about it, Peggy began talking again. “While you were gone, I took the liberty of getting you some medicine. You will have to go to your local pharmacy to re-fill this in a couple of days. Since I don’t know your pharmacy, you need to take this slip,” she handed me a white note that had handwriting on it, “to the counter and they will fill it for you. Take one every three hours, and then take this one right before you go to bed. It will make you sleepy, so don’t take it during the daytime. Also, here are some wraps you will need to wrap your side in every day. Make sure it is tight, and that you don’t move too much. In three weeks you will need to come back so we can look at them again and see if anything else has changed. If you ever feel an increase in pain, come in immediately. Just remember that it takes a long time for ribs to heal so you will be in pain for a while, but just take it slow and take your meds and you should be fine.” Peggy put the pill bottles and wraps in a bag before handing it over to me.

“Thank you.” I murmured.

“You are free to go and be with your fiancé. We will be calling you in a few weeks to set up an appointment to check your ribs out.”

A few minutes later I was saying another thank you before I made my way out of the building. I stared back at the building, my heart aching and yearning to be back in that room with Liam. I had to do what was good for the both of us. Liam didn’t know it right now, but he would. It was all for the best.

I hailed a taxi and gave him Liam’s address. I needed to get my things before leaving. I was silent the entire ride there, and when I entered the house, my body became numb. Heading to the bedroom, I saw everything that had happened in the house, almost as if I were in a movie and reliving it all. My body was beyond tired as I trudged into the bedroom.

Blindly I moved around the room, grabbing the clothes I came here with as well as my belongings. I went down to the bedroom I had been in before and grabbed what else I needed as well as my duffel bag. I did not want to take any of the things Liam had gotten me or paid for. It wasn’t right and they would just remind me of how I just used him for his money. I fit as much as I could in my bag, what I really needed. The rest would probably be thrown away or hopefully donated. At the last minute I grabbed one of his black t-shirts, which still smelled like him, and packed it. Just something to remember him by.

With my purse on my shoulder and my bag, I looked around the room. My lip quivered slightly, but I made it stop. I couldn’t cry anymore, not today. I glanced down and saw my engagement ring still on my finger. The blue diamond flashed up at me. I knew I should leave it here, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. This was the only thing I had left that Liam gave me. It was Liam’s since he bought it, but I could not see myself not wearing it.

Being beyond selfish, I decided to keep it. I just hoped Liam would try to get it back. Grabbing a small piece of paper that was in one of the bedside tables, I dug out a pen from my purse. I quickly wrote out a small note to Liam for when he got home.

Liam,

I am so very sorry. I’m sorry for all the trouble I put you through. I hope one day you will find everything you ever need and want. I hope one day you can forgive me. Just know I love you so much and always will. Please try to move on without me, okay?

Goodbye, Liam.

—Jenna

Letting one tear leak out, I set the note on the bed. I left the house with one last longing look. The same taxi from earlier waited for me in the driveway. With only one place I could go, I gave him the address, then sunk into the seat. I watched the house I had come to call my home disappear, as well as everything I had come to know these last few months.

Twenty minutes later we pulled up to the apartment complex. Handing the man whatever money I had left in my purse, I grabbed my things and headed to the door. Taking a deep breath, I knocked. I only had to wait a few seconds before the door opened, revealing a sleepy Candy. Her blonde hair was everywhere, and her PJs were twisted around her body.

“Jenna?” she asked. Her eyes found my bag in my hand, and she became more awake instantly.

“Can I stay with you?”

She nodded, moving out of the way for me to enter. As soon as the door shut, she enveloped me in a tight hug. Once again everything I was holding in burst free. I sobbed against Candy, letting my heart finally shatter.

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