Over the next few days, my life settled into a steady, peaceful rhythm. Annabelle started at her new preschool and loved it. I also found a job nearby as a substitute teacher. My days felt quiet, full, and calm.
Back in our old city, Rhys was searching everywhere for me.
Leah called me every day to tell me what was happening.
"He went to your old workplace looking for you today. Security had to escort him out."
"He called your parents' house. Your father told him exactly what he thought of him and hung up."
"I heard he lost a major project at the office. He can barely focus, he keeps zoning out in meetings."
I listened to all of it and felt nothing at all. It almost felt ridiculous. How much of his distress was because he missed me? And how much was simply that he was no longer in c
