CHAPTER 7 — Breaking Point
373 Words
The apartment felt smaller than ever that night.
Amara sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the half-open suitcase in front of her. Clothes were scattered everywhere, but she hadn’t made much progress packing.
Her mind was too loud.
Vanessa’s voice kept echoing in her head.
“I will ruin you.”
Amara wrapped her arms around herself, trying to steady her breathing.
“This isn’t safe anymore…” she whispered.
Everything had changed in just a few days. What started as fear had now turned into something darker—something dangerous.
She looked down at her stomach, her expression softening despite everything.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” she said quietly.
Even if she didn’t know how… she meant it.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Amara?” Tola’s voice came through again, softer this time.
“Come in.”
Tola stepped inside, her eyes immediately landing on the suitcase.
“You’re leaving,” she said, not as a question.
Amara nodded slowly.
“I have to.”
Tola frowned. “Because of that woman?”
Amara hesitated, then nodded again.
“She knows about me. About… everything,” she admitted.
Tola’s expression darkened. “That’s not okay. You can’t just run.”
“What else am I supposed to do?” Amara snapped, her voice cracking slightly. “Stay here and wait for her to make good on her threat?”
Silence filled the room.
Tola sighed, sitting beside her.
“Where will you go?”
“I don’t know,” Amara admitted. “Anywhere but here.”
The uncertainty in her voice made everything feel even more real.
Tola reached for her hand.
“You don’t have to do this alone.”
Amara gave a small, sad smile.
“I already am.”
She stood up and zipped her suitcase shut with finality.
That sound echoed louder than it should have.
A decision had been made.
There was no turning back now.
“I’ll call you when I get settled,” Amara said.
Tola pulled her into a tight hug.
“Be careful,” she whispered.
Amara closed her eyes briefly, holding onto that moment.
Then she pulled away.
Without another word… she left.
- Writer
