Naomi
"But I am scared, Mia. He will kill me."
I whisper the words into the phone. My voice is small. Broken. I sit on the edge of my bed, curled into a ball. My free hand rests on my stomach. The baby kicks. Soft. Steady. A reminder that I am not alone.
Mia is quiet on the other end. I hear her breathing. Fast. Shallow.
"Naomi, I had no idea." Her voice cracks. "I thought... I thought the police would help. I thought they would protect you."
"I know."
"I am so sorry. I am so sorry my advice backfired on you."
I close my eyes. The memory of that night comes flooding back. The officer's cold smile. The way he said Kaelen's name like a prayer.
"It is not your fault, Mia. You did not know."
"Neither did you." She pauses. "But now you know. Now you know what he is capable of."
"He is
