Demi's POV
I woke up to my phone filling with texts. I had gotten used to Nicko not being here when I woke up so I took to sleeping eagle-spread on the bed. The majority of the texts were from Marissa
Demi are you up?
I'm so sorry sweetie.
Don't go out today okay? Stay in with Mia.
Don't go online either. I'm leaving my house now but I'll hit traffic.
My brow furrowed and I texted her back,
What are you talking about???
Her response was instant, a link that I instantly clicked on, my hand going to my mouth in horror. It was dozens of pictures of Nicko doing shots and grinding with different girls. They were kissing on each other's necks. A video was among them and it depicted him in a club.
Someone behind the camera's loud voice sounded, "Nicko! Yo bro say hi to Demi!"
He laughed drunkenly, "Man fuck Demi! Fuck her ass!"
My fingers were trembling as I slowly locked my phone, letting it drop onto the bed as I stared at the wall. It began to sound with texts from Marissa again but I barely flinched, in shock from what I had just seen.
Mia's coos began coming through the baby monitor and my smooth face cracked. I picked up my phone and went to Nicko's contact. He must've not been awake yet, because I had no messages from him, but my fingers touched the keys, typing out words I never dreamed of saying to him.
I don't want you to try and communicate with me when you wake up. I don't want you to come home, because the locks will be changed by the time you're even awake. I don't want you near our daughter. I don't want you near me. This is it Nicko, we're done. You've humiliated me time and time again and now I have no more chances left to give you because you give me nothing in return. I don't want you anymore, in my life or in Mia's life. You're a monster who is incapable of change, and incapable of loving someone, or being loved. I can't love you anymore. I don't want to hear that you're sorry, or that you'll change. I don't want to hear from you ever again. You're not good for me.
I was sobbing by the time I finished and by now Mia was getting louder with her whines. I hit send, then tossed my phone to the door, getting up and jogging to the nursery. Mia giggled at me when I came into her view and stretched out her arms.
"Mama! Up! Up!" Fighting the tears as her blue eyes flashed with amusement, I picked her up and nestled her into my chest.
"Goodmorning babygirl!" She just smiled up at me and I got a wiff of her diaper, scrunching up my nose. "Someone needs a diaper change."
As I got Mia into a new diaper and her clothes for the day, the door downstairs opened.
"Demi?!"
It was Marissa.
"Up here!"
Her footsteps sounded, thumping up the stairs and I sighed, turning around slowly to see her standing in the doorway.
"Hey..."
I smiled, "Hi."
She took a cautious step into the room, "Did you open the link?"
I nodded, "I did... Rather scandalous isn't it?" My voice stayed light, sweet, and Mia continued to babble, unbothered by the underlying pain in my words.
"Are you okay?"
I pulled my lips in and shook my head, "No, I am most certainly not okay. But, that doesn't matter right now. Right now, I have to be a mom. No matter what."
She gently took Mia from me, and my daughter squealed at the recognition of Marissa's face.
"I'm gonna call your mom, and see if she can take Mia for a little bit, so you can do some self-care."
I shook my head, "She keeps me sane. I need to focus on something."
Marissa smiled, "Even the best of us have to lose it sometimes."
I sighed, "Can you call Holly? I need her to do a bunch of stuff for me. I can't even think right now."
She pulled out her phone, "I think she's already one her way. So is Natalie and Jill."
"Tell them to turn around." I interrupted. "I'll be halfway to JFK before they get here. I need to book a flight to Los Angeles."
"Demi." She interrupted, "Are you sure about this?"
I pulled my lips in, "You're right. I'm not going to LA, he'll find me there."
"That's not what I meant Demi." She murmured, and I stopped short, turning around to look at her.
"Excuse me? What exactly are you suggesting Marissa? Who's side are you on?"
She took a deep breath, "Demi... I'm not talking about your relationship with him. I'm talking about Mia's. He's going to fight for custody, and he could win. You don't want to do this. On paper, you don't have the best reputation."
My lip curled up, "Neither does he. I am getting the hell out of here before he is able to guilt me into getting back together. Okay?"
Marissa sighed, "Fine. I'll book you a flight. Where do you wanna go?"
I shook my head, "He'll ask you. I'll book it at the airport. Tell Holly that I need my the locks in my LA apartment changed for when I get back. And..." I paused, "Tell everyone I'm okay, and that I love them. I'll be back in a few weeks, I just can't stay here for when he comes back to try and find me. He's not good for me anymore Marissa."
~*~
I stared out the window of the private plane that my record label allowed me to use from time to time. There were no flights to Bora Bora at the airport so this was the next best thing. My phone hadn't rung once, but I knew it was coming. I shut it off in preparation, and leaned my head back against the seat, smiling as Mia snuggled further into me. I needed a fresh start, I needed to cleanse myself of him and get away. This was the right thing to do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comment and Vote!
Twitter: @Lovatic_Chica
-Rachel
