THE TEMPTRESS

||Good-bye||

•STEPHANIE•

Sitting in the quiet corner of the room, I gazed out at the dawn filtering through the balcony window.

The room was still, yet my emotions churned with a storm that had raged within me all night. Kaden slept peacefully on the bed, oblivious to the turmoil consuming me.

The numbness was overwhelming, a result of a sleepless night spent grappling with the choices I had made. The decision I was contemplating felt like the only path to reclaim the normalcy I had lost.

As I watched Kaden sleep, I knew my decision might inflict pain upon him. I hoped he could understand the depth of my need for this, a need born out of years spent grieving, surviving, and being lost in the pain of seeking revenge for my family.

Now, with that chapter closed, a void lingered, a feeling that something was still missing. The only way to bridge the gap and find myself again was to leave and go far away, to a place where I could learn to rebuild my life.

Leaving was the first step in rediscovering normalcy, and once settled, I promise to come to Kaden, hoping he could comprehend the depths of my silent struggles.

I watched as Kaden stirred awake, my heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and sorrow. Swiftly wiping away tear marks, I waited for him to notice me.

As he stretched and sat up, squinting at me, his deep, sleepy voice broke the silence.

"Steph? What are you doing? Come back to bed."

Ignoring his plea, I stood up. His confusion and surprise painted across his face as his gaze pinned questioningly at me.

I picked up my packed duffel bag from the dresser, meeting his eyes with a pained expression, tears shimmering. It was hard, but I had to do this.

Kaden's eyes searched mine, realization dawning. The room hung heavy with unspoken words as I prepared myself to say goodbye, facing the heartbreaking look on his face.

"I'm sorry. I have to do this because I know it would be good for me. I can't live through another day here when all the bad memories still haunt me day and night, and I can't do this anymore. I need to leave this place if I want my life to get back to normal," I said, my voice choked with tears.

As I stood before Kaden, he was still sitting on the bed. His eyes widened with surprise as he absorbed my words. The weight of what I was about to do hung in the air.

I clutched the strap of my duffel bag, taking a step towards the bed, trying to summon a smile.

"You've been so good to me, Kaden, and I love you so much."

His expression shifted to one of disbelief at the unexpected confession.

"I wanna be with you and try to move on from all of these, but... I can't. It's too much, and I need some time away to be alone and find a way to overcome the trauma, the pain, and the memories. I really hope you understand where I'm coming from."

Tears welled up again as I waited for Kaden's response. His face showed pain, yet he managed to offer a small, surprised smile.

"How long will you be gone for?" he asked.

The question struck a chord, and my heart ached. My lower lip trembled before I answered;

"I don't know."

I watched as Kaden clenched his jaw tightly, processing my response.

"I have to go."

Just as I turned towards the door, Kaden's voice stopped me.

"Are you ever coming back?" I paused, slowly turning to face him, offering a sweet smile.

"Yes. I promise you that."

His expression turned sad, eyes glistening. I turned away, opened the door, and left the room.

As I started leaving the house, uncontrollable sobs broke free, and the weight of the moment sank in, leaving me overwhelmed with emotions.

•KADEN•

Standing outside on the balcony, I lit up a cigarette, the smoke swirling into the early morning air. The solitude was shattered as Lucy and Ben appeared beside me.

"You're up early," Ben remarked, but I remained silent, exhaling smoke, catching the unspoken exchange between them.

"So where's Stephanie? Is she still sleeping?" Lucy's innocent question pierced through me, an ache settling in my heart.

Memories of Stephanie leaving this morning, her words lingering, played in my mind. I wished desperately to tell Lucy that Stephanie was still upstairs, peacefully asleep, but the bitter reality clung to me.

I felt Ben's hand on my shoulder, a silent reassurance. Turning to face them, I exhaled a thick cloud of smoke and shook my head while staring at the ground.

"No. She's gone." Shock and confusion painted their expressions, and I turned away, leaning on the balcony railings, cigarette in hand.

As I inhaled the acrid smoke, emotions surged within me. Stephanie had started on a journey to find herself, leaving me behind. Watching her leave was agonizing, but I clung to the hope she'd keep her promise and return.

The pain of uncertainty gnawed at me, yet I reassured myself that she would come back—

she had to.