When He Saved Me

o n e

I stared at my phone, thumb hovering over the call button. It had been so long since I'd talked to him—years, really. My brother had left what felt like a lifetime ago, and reaching out now felt like reopening a door I wasn't sure was still there. But staying here wasn't an option anymore.

The acceptance letter from NYU was the sign I needed, the final push to leave Cade.

For years, I'd told myself things would get better, that the man who once made me feel seen and loved was still in there somewhere. But he wasn't. Those moments of kindness and charm were like fading echoes, and the blame for everything wrong in his life fell squarely on me.

Some part of me still believed it was my fault. If I were a better girlfriend, if I worked harder to meet his impossible expectations, maybe he wouldn't lash out. Maybe he wouldn't hit me. But deep down, I knew the truth: no matter what I did, it would never be enough. I had to leave before there was nothing left of me to save.

I swallowed my fear and tapped his number, holding my breath as it rang.

"Hello?" Jake's voice on the other end made my throat tighten.

"Anyone there?"

I closed my eyes, forcing the words out. "Umm, Jake? It's... it's Madison."

There was a pause, then, "Oh. Madison. Hey! Wow, how are you?"

"I'm... I'm okay." My voice cracked, but I pushed forward. "I, uh, I need to ask you something. A favor."

"Alright, shoot."

This was it. The moment I'd been dreading. "I was wondering if... if I could maybe come stay with you for a while?"

Silence.

The kind that stretches on and makes your stomach twist.

I panicked, words tumbling out in a rush. "I'm sorry to ask this—I really am. I don't want to impose, it's just—I just got accepted to NYU, and I need to leave as soon as possible. I can't... I can't stay here anymore." My voice broke, and I clenched my teeth, furious at myself for sounding so small. So broken.

"I'm sorry. This was stupid. Never mind—"

"Wait, Mads," Jake interrupted before I could hang up. "Of course you can. Please, come. Whenever you need to—you're always welcome."

"Really?" My voice cracked again, this time with relief.

"Yes," he said gently. "I'd love to see you."

Relief swept through me so suddenly it felt like I might collapse under the weight of it. "Thank you, Jake. Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me."

"No problem," he replied. "Just text me when you figure out the details."

"Actually," I said hesitantly, "I was hoping to book a flight tomorrow, if that's not too soon. I know school doesn't start for a few months, but I... I really need to leave California. I'll explain later, but—"

"Mads," Jake cut me off, "you're not an inconvenience. Tomorrow works fine."

I smiled—a real smile—for the first time in weeks. We talked a little longer, and when the call ended, I felt lighter. I was finally getting out.

I grabbed my duffel bag and started packing, shoving in clothes and anything else I could fit. The rest—the furniture, the little pieces of me scattered around this place—would have to stay. Taking too much would make Cade suspicious.

Just as I tucked the bag under the guest room bed, I heard the front door creak open. My heart stopped. His heavy footsteps echoed through the house, each one louder than the last.