First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 36

  The house felt too still. I hated the silence sometimes, and right now was one of those times. It gave my thoughts too much room to wander. Kadence was down for her nap, her soft snores just barely audible through the monitor on the kitchen counter. I still used it, just in case. I sat curled up on the couch, arms wrapped around my knees, trying to breathe the way my therapist had taught me. Deep and steady. But my chest was tight, and no matter how many times I inhaled, I couldn't get enough air.

  I'd started therapy after Taytum and her moms gently pushed me toward it. I'm glad I went. It's helping. I want to be better, for my daughter, and for myself.

  I did it. I went to the police. I told them everything. The years of control, the threats, the fear that had become so normal I forgot it wasn't supposed to be. And when they arrested Chris, I thought maybe I'd feel peace. But peace didn't come. Just more waiting. More watching. More worrying.

  Detective Lawson called two days ago. Chris made bail. I hadn't heard from him, not directly, but I felt it, that shift in the air. That crawling sense that he was near. Like my skin could smell him. I didn't tell Taytum he was out. I told her about the court date, but not the rest. She had her own life. She was giving me space now, just like I asked.

  Not gone. Just... gone enough.

  She had every right to walk away when I told her I wasn't ready. That I needed to work on myself. She was right, I wasn't whole yet. I wasn't ready for anything real when every day felt like survival. But I missed her. I missed her calm. Her steadiness. The way she looked at me like I mattered. Like I wasn't just shattered pieces pretending to function.

  A knock jerked me out of my thoughts. Not a knock. A bang. Three heavy slams on the front door.

  My blood turned to ice.

  "Dani! Open the damn door!"

  Chris.

  My hands shook. I stood slowly, legs moving like they weren't mine.

  "Dani, I know you're in there! You think you can ruin my life and I'm just gonna take it? You think I'm scared of your lies?"

  I backed up a step, heart pounding in my chest. I reached for my phone on the side table to dial 911, but I didn't make it. The door burst open. The lock gave way, splintering the frame and then he was in my house. Chris stormed in, red-faced and wild-eyed. "You got me locked up. You turned my daughter against me. What the hell is wrong with you?"

  "Kadence is asleep," I whispered. "Don't wake her." I wasn't pleading for me. I didn't want KK to hear this.

  "You care about her now?" he barked. "You didn't give a damn when you dragged my name through the mud. I'm her father damn it."

  "She's not your daughter anymore. Not after what you did. You were supposed to be my best friend but you couldn't accept that's all you were."

  He lunged at me. I could smell the alcohol on his breath. "Say that again," he growled.

  "She's better off without you." I didn't back down.

  His hand flew so fast I didn't see it. I just felt the sting as pain exploded across my cheek. I tasted blood. My head snapped sideways and I stumbled back, but he kept coming.

  I heard KK's cry through the monitor, sharp, scared.

  I turned to run to her, but he grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

  "Don't you dare walk away from me, you bitch!"

  "Let me go, Chris. She's crying." I fought to break free, but he was stronger.