I waited until two in the morning.
The apartment was quiet. Dante had finally fallen asleep beside me after hours of holding me. Whispering promises that everything would be okay.
Promises he couldn't keep.
I slipped out of bed slowly. Carefully. He didn't move.
I'd already packed a small bag. Hidden it in the closet earlier. Just essentials. Clothes. Cash I'd withdrawn from the bank. A burner phone I'd bought weeks ago, just in case.
I dressed in the dark. Jeans. Sweater. Running shoes. Clothes I could move in.
Grabbed the bag from the closet.
Took one last look at Dante sleeping.
His face was peaceful. Relaxed. He had no idea what I was about to do.
This would kill him. I knew that. He'd wake up and I'd be gone and it would break something in him.
But better broken than in pris
