the calm before the storm
1001 Words
The week passed quietly but each day Amira grew more certain that she was making the right choice She stopped trying to talk to Jace stopped hoping for kindness or even respect Every conversation they had was cold and short like two strangers trapped in the same walls She noticed the way he avoided her now maybe he sensed the distance maybe he didn’t care Tanya still came and went acting like the queen of the house but Amira let her because soon this wouldn’t be her house anymore Every time she packed a bag or signed a paper she felt closer to freedom She only had to survive a few more days just a little longer and she’d be gone She took Ayra to the clinic for a check-up bought some toys and laughed with her daughter in the park Those moments kept her sane and reminded her of the peace she was building for them She didn’t need him not his name not his money not his lies
One night Amira sat in the living room working on her designs when Jace came home early He looked tired his tie loosened his face pale like something was wrong She looked at him but didn’t speak instead she went back to her laptop pretending not to notice He stood there watching her and for a second it felt like he wanted to say something but the words never came He dropped his briefcase on the floor and walked past her toward the kitchen She heard the fridge open then slam shut the sound of him muttering under his breath He came back with a drink and sat across from her eyes heavy with something between anger and confusion You’re quiet lately he said finally and she nodded without looking up That’s because I have nothing left to say she replied calm steady He laughed bitterly then shook his head You always did talk too much now you don’t talk at all
The silence returned and Amira closed her laptop slowly placing it on the table before standing up She walked past him without a word heading upstairs to check on Ayra She could feel his eyes on her but she didn’t turn around Once inside her daughter’s room she felt the tension leave her shoulders Ayra slept peacefully arms curled around her stuffed bunny Amira bent down kissed her forehead and whispered that they were almost free She sat in the rocking chair beside the crib watching her baby breathe and for the first time she prayed not for love or for Jace to change but for strength For a clean escape for safety and for a new beginning She didn’t know that the peace would not last that fate had one more cruel twist waiting just around the corner The house felt too quiet almost like it was holding its breath And the storm was already on its way
The next morning Tanya was in the kitchen again acting like she owned the place wearing one of Jace’s shirts Amira didn’t bother greeting her she poured her coffee and sat quietly Tanya smirked like always flipping her hair and leaning on the counter I heard Jace got a big deal coming up she said trying to spark something in Amira Amira didn’t look up She already knew about the deal he was desperate to close with the fashion house that unknowingly belonged to her I bet he’s going to make millions Tanya added leaning closer but Amira only took a sip of her coffee before standing to leave As she passed Tanya she paused looked her in the eyes and said You can have him I hope he ruins you too Tanya blinked her smirk fading for the first time That shut her up for the rest of the morning
Later that day Jace got a call that clearly upset him he stormed into the house phone in hand yelling about meetings being canceled and people pulling out Amira was upstairs packing more of Ayra’s things when he came banging on the bedroom door She opened it and he pushed past her eyes wild What did you do he shouted getting in her face I didn’t do anything she replied calm as ever though her heart beat fast You think I’m stupid he growled someone’s playing with me messing up my deals and it started the moment you started acting strange Amira stood her ground arms crossed That’s your business Jace not mine I’m just a housewife remember He stared at her like he didn’t recognize her and maybe he didn’t anymore She wasn’t afraid of him now not like before He grabbed her arm hard but she didn’t flinch You’ll regret messing with me he hissed but she just looked at him and said No Jace you’ll be the one who regrets
That night Jace didn’t come home Amira used the time to organize the last of her documents she had everything ready The new apartment the car the cash in her personal account everything was in place All she had to do now was sign the final papers and leave But something in her chest felt heavy like a warning like a shadow crawling closer She kept the lights on as she worked watched Ayra sleep and kept checking the door expecting the worst Every sound outside made her heart skip but the door never opened She didn’t know where Jace was but she knew he was angry and when he was angry he was dangerous Still she wasn’t turning back she had come too far to run now Tomorrow she would leave with Ayra and start her new life But tonight she barely slept and when she did her dreams were dark
The next morning started quiet Jace still hadn’t returned Amira dressed Ayra made breakfast and even smiled for a few minutes hoping maybe the worst had passed She was wrong It was just beginning
- Writer
