Comeback (Sequel to 'Before the Storm')

Chapter 10: He's Gone

Ally's POV

The click of the door closing behind Joe echoed through the apartment, reverberating in my chest like a final, devastating blow.

For a moment, I stood frozen, staring at the spot where he had been just seconds ago.

A guttural sob tore from my throat as I collapsed to the floor. My fingers clawed at the carpet, desperate for something to hold onto as my world spun out of control.

The pain in my chest was physical, aching and raw, as if my heart was being ripped apart.

"What have I done?" I gasped between sobs. "Oh God, what have I done?"

I curled into myself, my body shaking uncontrollably. Memories flooded my mind - His smile, his laugh, the warmth of his embrace. The look of devastation on his face as I told him it was over. It was too much. I couldn't breathe.

Stumbling to the bathroom, I gripped the edges of the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I hardly recognized the woman looking back at me - eyes red and swollen, mascara streaking down my cheeks, hair a tangled mess.

"Pull yourself together," I whispered to my reflection.

But instead of calming down, I felt my anxiety spike. My chest tightened, breaths coming in short, sharp gasps.

I slid down to the cold tile floor, hugging my knees to my chest. The world was closing in around me. I'd pushed away the man I loved, convinced it was the right thing to do.

So why did it feel like I was dying inside?

"Joe," I whimpered, rocking back and forth. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

But he wasn't there to hear me. He was gone, and it was my choice. My decision. The realization sent me spiraling again, sobs wracking my body as I struggled to breathe again.

At some point, I heard distant knocking at my door, but I couldn't bring myself to move, to face anyone in this state.

The knocking grew more insistent. My heart leapt into my throat, a sudden, desperate hope surging through me.

Could it be?

"Joe?" I whispered, my voice hoarse from crying.

I struggled to my feet, legs shaky beneath me. I stumbled out of the bathroom, my mind racing.

Maybe he'd come back. Maybe he'd tell me we could work it out, that he wouldn't let me push him away. I'd tell him I'd made a mistake, that I was scared, that I still loved him.

"Joe?" I called out louder, moving towards the door on unsteady feet, "Is that you?"

There was a pause, and then a different voice responded.

"Ally? It's Dani. Please, open the door."

The hope that I had, vanished, leaving me feeling hollow and even more broken than before.

It wasn't Joe. Of course it wasn't Joe. I'd told him to leave, and he had. I'd pushed him away, and now he was gone.

A fresh wave of sobs overtook me, and I sank to my knees in the hallway, unable to take another step. I heard the sound of a key in the lock - Dani must have used the spare.

The door opened, and I heard Dani's sharp intake of breath.

"Oh, Ally"

I looked up, my vision blurred by tears, to see Dani rushing towards me. The concern on her face only made me cry harder.

"I thought... I hoped..." I couldn't finish the sentence, but Dani seemed to understand.

She knelt beside me, wrapping her arms around my shaking form.

"I know, honey. I know."

As I leaned into her embrace, the full weight of what I'd done crashed over me again.

"Dani," I choked out, clinging to her like a lifeline, "I ruined everything."

Dani stroked my hair gently, her presence a small comfort in the storm of my emotions.

"Shh, it's ok. You're not alone in this. We're going to get through it together, alright?"

I nodded weakly against her shoulder, grateful for her support but acutely aware of the absence I truly longed for. Joe's absence. An absence I had caused, and one that now threatened to swallow me whole.