Page 3 of The Heart You've Borrowed

“And I’ll give you better, I promise.” He reaches for me again and I slap him across the face. God that felt good for a split second before I saw the look on his face. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Kelly please leave us so I can have a word with Charlie alone.” His jaw tenses. I stand frozen. As soon as the door shuts behind me I know this was a mistake. I know what my gut was trying to warn me about. I should have never come. I don’t care if I never found out about the cheating, it would be better than what is going to happen here. I can tell by the look on his face this isn’t going to end well.

“Jett.” I plead, my voice quiet.

“You think you can come here, come to my office and start with your bullshit.” He shakes his head.

“You think you can leave me just like that? You’re wrong. You will never leave. Want to know why?” He smirks.

“I asked you a question, Charlie.” He snaps when I don’t answer. I flinch at his voice and slowly nod.

“Because you will be nothing without me. Do you know how easy it will be for me to get you blacklisted from every job in this town? This state? When you cross a Sterling you never survive. I will ruin your life before you even have your bags packed. Do not test me on this Char. Without me, you are nothing, nothing without me. It would be best if you never forget that.” His voice is low, dark.

“I understand.” My voice is weak, I try to keep my tears in. I don’t want him to see me cry. I turn to leave his office.

“Oh and Char?” He says from behind me, I slowly turn to face him.

“This is for ruining my afternoon quickie.” His hand slaps across my face. He’s never hit me before, my ears are ringing, pain shoots through my jaw, and my face stings.

“Now get the fuck out.” He snaps his fingers and goes back to his desk as if nothing happened. I rush out of his office. When I pass Kelly on the way out her mouth drops open when she sees the side of my face. I run for the elevator so no one else can see me. That’s just what I need, one of his coworkers to see me crying with a clear handprint on my face after leaving his office.

Before the doors close Kelly sticks her hand into the door and stands at my side.

“I didn’t know.” She finally says.

“How did you not know? We’ve been together for seven years!” I cried.

“He told everyone he broke up with you months ago. You never come in so we all believed him. I’m so sorry Charlie, I really am. If I would have known I never would have done that. You asked for the truth back there so I’m going to give it to you. We’ve been sleeping together for six months.” She shakes her head.

“Are you being serious?” My voice cracks.

“If I knew I would have told him to fuck off but like I said, he told us you guys broke up. I would never do that to you or any other woman. That’s not who I am. I feel sick knowing that you were still in the picture. But can I give you some advice?” She turns to face me. I nod.

“Leave. Get out now. He will not change, it will only get worse. I doubt I’m the only woman he’s been with. You deserve better. Is there anyone you can stay with? Anywhere you can go until you get back on your feet?”

“I don’t really have anyone. He made me cut off most of my friends.” I sob.

“Give me your phone. I’m going to put my number in and add my address. Pack a bag and go to my house. He doesn’t know where I live and you can stay as long as you want. I mean it. Go home right now and pack a bag, and take an Uber to my place. I get off in a few hours and I will meet you there. Promise me, Charlie. You do not want to be home when he gets home. I know he hit you. That was probably the first time he has done that but I can promise you, it won’t be the last.” She pulls me into a hug.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I cry into her shoulder.

“Because I wish someone did this for me when I needed it.” She pulls away and wipes my tears.

“Thank you.” My voice is low.

“Of course. Text me when you head there. I’ll let my roommate know you're coming and she can let you in.”

“Okay.” The elevator doors open and I step out. I don’t turn back. I wipe my face with my sleeve and call an Uber to go back to our apartment. I check my emails while I wait and send my boss an email saying I won’t be in for the rest of the day. The ride back to my apartment doesn’t seem real. It’s like I’m in a haze.

***

After I pack my bags and lock the door behind me I lean against it. This is it. I’m getting out. I don’t know what the future is going to hold but Kelly is right, I can’t stay here. It won’t ever get better. He will never stop. I just hope I don’t put Kelly in danger for helping me.

I call for an Uber and text Kelly that I’m on my way to her house. She lives about forty-five minutes from the city and it will be nice to know I at least have some distance from Jett. I know she said he doesn’t know where she lives but I’m scared he will show up and drag me back with him. When the Uber arrives I slip into the back seat after putting my bags in the trunk and I’m thankful he isn’t a talkative driver. I just want to sit in silence.

I stare out the window the entire drive and get my anxiety under control. I can feel a panic attack coming and I do not want to deal with that while in a car. When we finally arrive at her house my mouth drops open. What the hell? This is one of the nicest houses I’ve ever seen. How the hell does she afford this?

The driver grabs my bags from the trunk and I tip him before grabbing my bags and walking toward the front door. The door swings open and a short blonde woman steps out.

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