His Heart Desires

CHAPTER 10

The train ride was quiet.

Not in the literal sense, there were soft conversations in nearby seats, the occasional hiss of the tracks curving through sleepy towns, and overhead announcements in a calm voice. But inside Chloe, there was a different kind of silence. The kind that came after the storm.

Lila sat beside her, flipping through a magazine half-heartedly, one hand wrapped around her warm cup of tea. Now and then, she glanced at Chloe, not pressing, not asking. Just being there. The kind of presence that didn’t demand words to be understood.

Chloe stared out the window as trees blurred past, Portland drawing closer with every mile. Her fingers rested gently on her belly, the tiniest curve still hidden beneath her oversized hoodie. She hadn’t said much since they boarded the train. She didn’t know what to say.

The city she was leaving behind had been both love and heartbreak. Darrell and the memories. Laughter and pain. Everything that shaped her and now pushed her to escape.

Now there was only what lay ahead.

Later That Evening

Portland greeted them with a soft drizzle and the scent of pine in the air. It was cooler than Chloe expected, but the freshness settled into her lungs like a quiet welcome.

They stepped onto the platform, bags in hand, and immediately spotted a tall figure waving through the thinning crowd.

“LILA!” Michael called out with a bright grin, jogging over.

He enveloped his cousin in a bone-crushing hug before turning to Chloe. “You must be the famous Chloe. I’ve heard so much.”

Chloe offered a tired, polite smile. “Hopefully only the good stuff.”

“Only the best,” he said with a wink.

Beside him stood a pretty woman with soft features and curly hair tucked under a knit beanie.

“This is Jessica,” Michael said. “She’s the heart of everything. And the one who got your place set up before you arrived.”

Jessica smiled warmly and extended a hand. “Welcome to Portland. We thought you might like a soft landing, so we got a place ready for you nearby. Just a few blocks from us.”

The apartment was warm, modest, and thoughtfully arranged. There were fresh sheets on the beds, food in the fridge, and little touches, a vase of tulips by the window, cozy blankets on the couch, and even a new kettle in the kitchen.

“We didn’t want you stressing about anything tonight,” Jessica said, dropping Chloe’s suitcase near the bedroom. “Everything else, we can figure out together.”

Chloe stood in the middle of the room, speechless.

It wasn’t just a space; it felt like the beginning of something. A chance to breathe.

After settling in, the four of them walked over to Michael and Jessica’s townhouse just a few blocks away. The evening was cool and gentle, and the smell of something warm and cheesy welcomed them inside.

They ate around a wooden table, baked ziti, garlic bread, and sparkling apple cider.

Conversation flowed easily. Lila cracked jokes about their high school days. Michael shared ridiculous stories of family reunions. Chloe mostly listened, but every once in a while, a smile tugged at her lips. The ache in her chest didn’t feel so sharp.

Jessica, sitting beside her, leaned over with a reassuring smile. “You don’t have to be okay yet. Just know you’re not alone anymore.”

Chloe nodded, swallowing back a sudden surge of emotion. “Thank you. I didn’t know how much I needed this until now.”

After dinner, they walked the girls back to the apartment, hugged them goodnight, and promised to return the next day to check in.

That Night

Chloe lay awake, staring at the ceiling of her new bedroom. The rain outside tapped gently against the windows, Portland humming a lullaby she didn’t know she needed.

She rested her hand on her stomach. Her voice was a whisper into the dark.

“I don’t know what’s next... but we’re safe now. And that’s a start.”