Page 46 of Shattered Hope
I knew the fairy tale was about to end, but I had clung to the last thread of hope just to be smashed hard against the cruel reality.
Wiping the tears running down my cheeks, I changed into a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and a couple of sweaters. With Daniel looking for me, I would have to hitch-hike to leave town, and that meant I would be out in the cold, in the middle of the night.
But anything was better than letting him capture me.
I was putting on my coat when the door to my room slammed open, and Jayden entered.
“Running back to the arms of your husband?” he demanded. The utter hatred in his tone was like a dagger plunged into my heart.
“No… can’t you see? I’m…” I tried to explain.
He raised his hand and silenced me. “Please, don’t even bother. I don’t want to hear more of your lies,” he said in a harsh tone.
I bit my lower lip so hard the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. I knew I should force him to hear my side of the story… but what was the point? I still had to leave. He couldn’t help me.
“As you wish,” I said through gritted teeth. “I’m sorry to leave unexpectedly, but I'm sure you’ll find someone to replace me,” I added, as I closed my backpack and buttoned up my coat.
He pulled a checkbook out of his coat. “I don’t have enough cash here to pay you for your services, so you’ll have to tell me your real name,” he said, showing his disdain in every word that came out of his lips.
I clenched my jaw and took a few deep breaths before I was able to utter a word without crying my heart out. “You don’t owe me a thing,” I assured him, as I walked past him. “Thank you for all your help,” I muttered.
He grabbed me by the arm and forced me to face him. “Why did you do it?” this time, there was only hurt in his tone, and I had to make a supreme effort not to cry and tell him the whole truth.
What was the point? Things would never be the same between us, no matter what. It was better to let things end here.
“I thought you didn’t want to hear my lies…” I pointed out, and he dropped my arm as if it was on fire.
I rushed out of the apartment, using the back exit, making sure there wasn’t anyone suspicious around before I stepped out into the dark streets.
It started snowing, and I hastened my step, trying to get to a small diner, open 24/7, where I could hide out until the morning. Wandering the streets at night was dangerous, especially with Daniel lurking around. I needed to lay low for a few hours, and then try to find a way out of town without being captured by Daniel.
The dawn found me hiding at the diner, with a few empty cups of coffee in the table and a couple of sandwiches I couldn’t eat. I had called Johnson, hoping he would be in town or know of someone who could give me a ride out of Seattle, but he was on his way to New York. He promised to call his friends and call me back if he found someone leaving town, but he didn’t sound very hopeful.
This meant I had to find another way out of town or find a place where I could hide for a few days until Daniel got tired of looking for me.
My head was aching, but my heart hurt more. The tears had been welling up in my arms, and I craved to be in a safe place to mourn my loss.
I was about to leave the diner when I remembered Jonathan Spade and his insistence on painting me. I could pose for him in exchange for food and shelter. Convincing him to hide me shouldn’t be that hard, considering how much he seemed to want me to be his model.
All I had to do was find him.
Frantic, I pulled my cell phone to call Phoebe. She should have his phone number. But it was just seven o’clock in the morning, and she wouldn’t be at the office for two more hours.
I asked for another coffee and waited. Going out was not a good idea, so I stayed there until it was time to call the other woman.
“Anne… I wasn’t expecting to hear from you again,” she said, sounding surprised. “Mr. Wells told me you had to leave in a family emergency.”
“Yes… I did… but I totally forgot I needed to call Jonathan Spade before I left town. Do you think you could give me his cell phone number?” I asked, trying to sound my usual self, despite the knot constricting my throat.
“He didn’t give it to you yesterday?” she asked, suspicious.
“No… we talked about so many things, I forgot to ask him.”
“Well, I suppose there’s no harm. Write it down,” she accepted.
“Thank you, Phoebe, you’re a lifesaver.”
“You’re welcome. Stay in touch, I would like to hear from you again,” she asked, in her kind tone.
