Heaven On Fire

Twenty Six

The days blurred together in a haze of uncertainty and fear. Benjamin's betrayal weighed heavily on my heart, casting a shadow over our marriage that seemed impossible to escape.

Now, as I stood on the bustling streets of Charlevoix, Detroit, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.

Everywhere I went, I felt the prickling sensation of eyes on me, unseen but ever-present.

It was as if someone – or something – was lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

My heart raced with unease, my senses on high alert as I tried to shake off the feeling of impending danger.

Try as I might, I couldn't shake the feeling of being followed. Every turn, every corner seemed to lead me deeper into the labyrinth of my own fears.

Then, just as I thought I couldn't bear it any longer, a figure emerged from the darkness – Hubert.

My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him, my mind reeling with shock and disbelief.

What was he doing here?

The questions swirled in my mind, but before I could find the answers, he was gone – disappearing into the crowd as quickly as he had appeared.

I stood frozen in place, my heart pounding in my chest.

Hubert's presence was a chilling reminder of the darkness that lurked within our past, a past that I had fought so hard to escape.

It seemed that the shadows were closing in around me once again, threatening to consume me whole.

With a trembling hand, I reached for my phone, my fingers fumbling with the keys as I dialed Benjamin's number.

He answered on the second ring, his voice filled with concern as he asked what was wrong.

"I... I saw him," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "Hubert. He was here, in Detroit."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, as if Benjamin was processing the information.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice tight with worry.

I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Yes," I replied. "Kitang-kita siya ng dalawang mata ko."

There was another pause, longer this time. "Stay where you are," Benjamin said finally. "I'll come get you."

Relief flooded through me at his words, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm of uncertainty that surrounded me.

"Hurry," I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how much longer I can hold out."

I hung up the phone, my heart heavy with dread. Benjamin's protectiveness was suffocating at times, but in moments like these, I was grateful for his presence.

With him by my side, I felt safer, more secure – as if together, we could face whatever challenges came our way.

But as I waited for Benjamin to arrive, my thoughts turned to Saoirse, my precious daughter. She was the light of my life, the reason I got up every morning and faced the world with renewed determination. And yet, even her sweet smile couldn't chase away the shadows that haunted my dreams.

I scanned the crowded street for any sign of Benjamin. Every passing moment felt like an eternity, the weight of Hubert's presence pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket.

Finally, I saw him – Benjamin, striding towards me with determined steps, his expression a mix of concern and anger.

Relief flooded through me at the sight of him, his presence a reassuring anchor in the midst of my turmoil.