Chapter 3
As I slid into the passenger seat of Celina's car, my hands were still trembling. It wasn't fear. It was excitement, a shiver of liberation, like breaking free from a cage and stepping into the light.
"All done?" Celina handed me a bottle of water, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah." I twisted off the cap and took a long drink.
"Judging by your face, it was a pretty intense battle." Celina started the car and merged into traffic.
I shook my head, leaning back in the seat and watching the city rush past outside the window.
"Nope, not intense at all," I said.
I gave her a quick rundown of what had just happened.
Celina whistled when I finished.
She said, "Impressive, Aurora. This silent rebellion of yours is way smarter than all that crying, drama, and threats you used to pull. Too bad you didn't see James's face. He looked like he'd just eaten a bug."
I smiled but didn't say anything.
I wasn't trying to pull off some clever trick. I just honestly didn't care anymore.
I didn't care about his opinion, his mother's constant nitpicking, or that whole Mrs. Stone thing.
That was why I could stay so calm, so unwavering.
*****
The apartment was in a quiet neighborhood on the west side of the city, just a block away from the art gallery.
It was on the top floor, a duplex with a massive terrace.
Sunlight poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the living room with warmth and light.
Standing on the terrace, I could see most of the city spread out below me.
"So, what do you think? Do you like it?" Celina asked, standing beside me.
"I love it," I said sincerely.
No gloomy colors, no cold furniture, not a hint of James anywhere, this was finally my own space.
"Then it's settled," Celina decided. "If you need more money, I've got you covered."
"I've got enough." I shook my head. "I've been doing freelance work these past few years and managed to save up quite a bit."
I gave up my studio just to make James happy, but I never let go of my needlepoint craft.
I quietly took on some high-end custom work on the side, designing needlepoint pieces for luxury brands, and managed to stash away a nice little nest egg.
That money gave me the backbone to reclaim my freedom.
Signing the contract and paying the deposit was a breeze. By the time we left the apartment, it was already afternoon.
Celina had a meeting at the office, so she dropped me off at my temporary place.
I'd found this cozy little studio apartment a while ago. It was small but really warm and inviting.
I'd barely set my stuff down when my phone started blowing up. James was calling.
I stared at his name flashing on the screen, paused for a moment, then switched it to silent.
The phone wouldn't stop ringing, again and again. Then came the texts.
Aurora, where are you?
[Stop messing around and come back already.
[You think leaving home is going to fix anything? That's just childish.
[Come home right now.]
Each message was harsher than the last, all full of commands that brooked no argument.
He didn't even ask why I left. He just assumed I was throwing a tantrum.
I turned off my phone, and suddenly, the world went quiet.
I started unpacking the few things I'd brought with me. There wasn't much, just a small suitcase.
A few everyday outfits, some skincare products, and the one thing I cherished most, my great-grandmother's heirloom embroidery kit, including needles, thread, a hoop, and scissors.
I took out a plain silk handkerchief, stretched it tight in the hoop, and started sketching out a design in my mind.
I wanted to embroider a snowdrop branch.
The first flower to push through the frozen ground. Blooming alone in the biting cold, delicate yet unbreakable.
That was my favorite line, and honestly, it felt like the story of my future.
Who knows how long had passed, but suddenly someone was banging on the door like crazy.
"Aurora, open up. I know you're in there." That was James, his voice raging, totally out of control.
I jumped, and the needle jabbed my fingertip, a bead of blood welling up.
I popped my finger in my mouth, not making a sound.
The pounding got even louder, like he was about to rip the door right off.
He yelled, "Aurora, if you don't open this door, I'm going to break it down."
I walked over to the door and looked out through the peephole.
James's face appeared twisted and almost feral through the distorted glass. His eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging on his forehead. He was nothing like the polished elite he usually pretended to be.
He found me. I wondered how he managed to track me down.
My heart sank. I'd really underestimated the reach of his connections and resources.
He said, "Aurora, I give you three minutes."
I took a deep breath. There was no way I could avoid this now. I opened the door.
James was standing outside, his tall frame bringing a cold gust as he stormed in.
He paused for a moment when he saw me, then his anger blazed even brighter.
"You actually dared to hide out here." He grabbed my arm and started dragging me out. "You're coming home with me."
He yanked me so hard I stumbled.
Now he was actually putting his hands on me.
I didn't scream or fight back like before.
I just looked at him with a calm, almost pitying gaze.
"James," I said, my voice quiet but slicing right through his anger. "Let's get a divorce."
James stopped dead in his tracks.