ed'

essary. This wasn't just about comfort or convenience anymore-Kate and Sophia weren't safe in that apartment. I couldn't ignore the growing unease

y stretched out in a sea of glittering lights. It looked peaceful from up here, but I knew better. Beneath the surfac

hovered over the call button for a second longer than n

pick

s slightly groggy, li

It was nearly 10 AM. "

ed, yawning softly.

haled and leaned forward, r

u to move

ll five secon

h

and I heard as the bed she was lying on cr

ounded sharper a

cof

with me," I repeated, slower this time. "I

t under

grip on the phone tightened. "I don't trust him. I don't trust what he'll do next

his name always made me feel edgy. I hat

wn for years. I don't need you swooping in an

Kate. I'm saying you shouldn't have to be constantly looking over yo

afe," she

, you were burning a Valentine's card in the fi

t quiet

up and leave threats on your doorstep. You and Sophia wouldn't have to worry about this. And be

thinking we live in some rundown place, and also ab

s not

ow, her voice sharp like a blade. "I've never complained about where we live, Jared

I interrupted, rubbing my temples feeling very stressed at the moment.

nd your solution is for us to just pa

mly. "That's exac

s going to hang up on me. The way she was breathing was evidence of just how an

d. "I need to t

at

d," she repeated, her voice quieter no

d argue, the

way from my ear and

mn

ling slowly. She was so damn stubborn. Why couldn't s

all. I knew

*. *.

e's

the couch, staring blankly at the wa

itting cross-legged on the flo

," I said

response, no

ly- we moved in with Jared?" I asked

t I thought she might get

called and aske

up. "And what

eded to thin

he couch. "Kate, why do you do this? Why

rational action. Great. What was I

n't make everyth

le. He lives in a freaking penthouse. The security there

. "So this is ab

evin did. What if he does something worse next time? Do you really wan

ew. Maybe she wasn't so

independent and all that, but for once, c

lip, mulling

she wa

ared wa

igh

to her, "how d

y, the confusion in her

t Kev

t!" She

to signify for

d you both talking so it was easy for me to de

I se

" She ex

r in an argument and ye

I'll ca

phone and dia

his voice came up on th

at

ent for a

ove in."

think I heard him breath a little sigh of

oo

mean I owe you anything. Thi

t to me as though a smirk was tu

." It was important for me to set boundaries after all. I

e that thought? I shoo

erst

d. "Oka

en to help you

ar

ry about what this woul

eet," he assured

her breath but didn't argue

t, Kate."

"Goodnigh

house. I never thought I'd