Chapter 8: Ghosts Never Sleep
331 Words
Tia’s POV
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The night was still. Too still.
Micky was asleep beside me, one arm slung across my stomach like I might vanish if he didn’t keep touching me.
I watched his face—so calm, so trusting—and wondered if he had any idea the storm sitting in my chest.
He didn’t ask again about the call. Didn’t push.
But the way he held me tighter after, the way he kissed me slower, the way he looked at me like I was something worth protecting...
God, it made me want to cry.
But I didn’t.
I never did.
Not even when I got out. Not even when the bruises faded. Not even when I finally told myself he couldn’t hurt me anymore.
I reached over for my phone to check the time.
2:03 a.m.
But it wasn’t the clock that caught my eye.
It was the message.
Unknown Number
> “You can f**k him all you want, Tia. But you’ll never belong to him.”
My stomach dropped. My throat closed. My fingers froze.
Another message blinked in before I could move.
> “You were mine. You still are. He’s just the one using what I made.”
I sat up too fast. My pulse was screaming.
The room felt smaller. The walls, closer. Like he was here—somewhere. Watching. Laughing.
Micky stirred beside me. “Tia…?”
I locked my phone screen and hid it under the pillow.
He blinked sleepily, voice raspy. “Everything okay?”
“Yes,” I lied.
But my hands were shaking again.
And this time, I couldn’t stop them.
I curled back into him, pressing my body against his like a shield could be made out of skin.
He wrapped his arms around me without question. Kissed the top of my head. Whispered something soft I didn’t even catch.
I closed my eyes.
But sleep never came.
Just his words.
On repeat.
You were mine. You still are.
- Writer
