This time, I would not beg for love. I would not beg to be believed.
I swore that I would find evidence of their crimes and expose it for the world to see. I would not let them win this time.
That night, in the silence of a guest room reeking of dust, I pulled out the only lifeline I had left. My phone. My hands shook as I dialed the number I’d memorized long ago but sworn never to use.
The line clicked. A familiar voice answered.
“… Cassie?”
Tears stung my eyes, but I stayed calm.
“Anthony… I need you,” I whispered.
“Oh my God, Cassie. I saw you on the news. Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine, I just… I made a mistake. I should’ve never chosen Anthony. You told me you would wait for me no matter how long it took. I’m ready now.”
There was a pause. “Are you sure, Cassie? I’m not playing games.
“I’m done begging them to believe me. I'm going to leave Isaac and I want to be with you. But first— I’m going to make them pay for everything they did to me and my child. This time, I won’t let them win.”
The next day, Isaac called me to his room and informed me that I was to attend an event with him.
“I don’t want to go,” I said.