In the Blink of an Eye

Chapter Sixteen

Continuation—December 31, 2020

Taylor didn't look back as she stepped outside, the cold air wrapping around her like a second skin. Drew was already waiting, standing near the black SUV parked at the curb. He moved forward as she approached, opening the back door without a word.

She hesitated for just a moment, glancing at the glow of light spilling out from Travis's house. Her heart felt heavy, her chest tight, but she forced herself to turn away.

Sliding into the backseat, Taylor leaned her head against the cool window, her breath fogging the glass. Drew shut the door gently behind her and moved around to the passenger seat. The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

"Where to, Miss Swift?"

Taylor didn't answer right away. She stared out the window, watching as the house she'd just left grew smaller in the distance.

"Just... back to the hotel," she murmured finally, her voice so soft it barely reached the front seat.

Drew gave the driver a small nod, and the car pulled smoothly away from the curb.

Inside the house, Travis stood motionless in the kitchen, his thoughts spiraling. He hadn't followed her to the door, hadn't stopped her from leaving. But now, as he stared at the empty space where she had stood moments before, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just let something—someone—important slip away.

He picked up his phone from the counter, staring at the missed call from Kayla. For the first time, he didn't feel the urgency to call her back. Instead, his thoughts were consumed by Taylor—her words, her eyes, the rawness in her voice.

What if she wasn't lying?

What if—impossible as it seemed—there was some truth to what she had said?

Back in the car, Taylor closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. The tears she'd been holding back threatened to spill, but she swallowed them down. She didn't want to cry. Not here, not now.

Her fingers traced idle patterns on the seat beside her, her mind replaying the moment Travis's phone rang. Kayla's name flashing on the screen felt like a cruel reminder of how far apart their worlds were.

She clenched her jaw, her chest tightening again. She didn't regret going to see him, but now that it was over, she couldn't help but wonder what the point of it all had been. Had she expected some kind of resolution? Some miracle where everything fell into place?

It was foolish, she realized, to hope for anything more.

"Miss Swift?" Drew's voice broke through her thoughts.

Taylor opened her eyes, glancing up to see him turned in his seat, watching her with a quiet concern.

"We'll be at the hotel in five minutes," he said gently.

She nodded but said nothing, turning her gaze back to the passing city lights. Each one blurred together, streaking across her vision like memories she couldn't quite hold onto.

For now, all she could do was keep moving forward—even if it felt like she was leaving part of herself behind.

A/N: There aren't many chapters left now, and I just want to say thank you for sticking with this story. I hope the ending feels right and doesn't disappoint. This is the first story I've ever written and actually finished.