The Way Things Change

Chapter 7

*Kate’s POV*

I waited in my room until I was sure they had left. I was too humiliated to see them just yet. I knew I had to face them at some point, but not now. I had to take care of my own business and now my perfect plan was already screwed.

I managed to get a hold of my phone. Liam had left it for me on the counter in the kitchen. God I had missed it. I know you probably shouldn’t say it, but I couldn’t live without my phone, I felt naked without it. I found the number of my landlord and he answered on the second ring.

I didn’t want to go into detail with him, so when he asked for the reason that I wanted to stop the contract, I just said that my boyfriend and I had split up.

It was nice to het rid of the place, now when I only could think of the bad things that had happened. Sure I had a great time there and I had loved it, if I hadn’t I wouldn’t have stayed there for two years, but now it was time to get away and leave that part of my life behind. The landlord said we had to 30 days to get out of the flat and that was it. Now all I needed to do was get my stuff.

I took a cab to the flat and asked the driver if he could be back in an hour to pick me up. He told me that he was going to try, but otherwise he would send someone else. I thanked him and gave him a generous tip.

It felt like forever since I had been here the last time, but it had only been 5 days. I took a deep breath, knowing that when I left today I was never going back. I stood there for a second and just looked up. I had the feeling that someone was watching me, but when I looked around I couldn’t see anybody. I was just being paranoid. I tried to shake the feeling, but it didn’t work, so I just quickly went into the building.

When I got to the flat it looked like there had been a bombing or something. Dirty clothes were lying around and left over food was spread across the floor. Maybe the police had already captured Jake. I surely hoped so. I went into the bedroom and started throwing all my clothes and belongings into my travel bags. I didn’t care if it was neatly folded or not, I just needed to be fast so I could get out of here.

I was doing the last round in the flat to see if I had overlooked something. I heard footsteps on the staircase. I could recognize that sound anywhere; I had heard it so many times before while I was living here. My body tensed. Why hadn’t the police captured him? Had he been hiding? I didn’t know and I didn’t care. I was panicking and knew I had to get out quickly. If I stayed in the flat I would be trapped. I ran into the hallway and I saw his head coming around the corner. Our eyes met and I saw an emotion flash through his eyes. I couldn’t see what it was, ‘cause it was gone just as fast as it had come.

“So you are leaving me now, I see” he said. I could hear anger in his voice, but his face remained emotionless. I had no idea what he was thinking.

“Yes I am!” I state, gathering all my strength and courage to stand up to him. “Did you really think I was going to stay after what you did to me? I already told you last time you beat me, that if you EVER did that again, I would leave. And you promised never to do anything like that again. You broke your promise, but now I’m keeping mine and there is nothing you can do to stop me!”

I didn’t know how long I was able to keep up this strong façade. I was trembling and panicking on the inside. I had to get away NOW!

“You know I’m not gonna let you leave” his voice was cold. “You are mine and no matter what you do or what you think you can do, you’ll always be mine. Nobody else would put up with an ugly slut like you.”

“Shut up. I know you don’t mean that. You just don’t want me to leave, because you love me and I’m going to break you heart when I leave. But I don’t love you anymore and I don’t need you. So I’m gonna leave now!” I didn’t know how I had become this brave. I was terrified of him, but I was so angry with him. I tried to make my way past him, but he pushed me back.