Chapter 2 - The Cold Journey Back to River North
The morning air of Oak Park hit my face like an ice bath,
cooling the burning sensation on my left cheek.
I walked down the grand stone steps of the Harrison estate,
my heels clicking against the concrete,
sounding like a countdown.
My hands were shaking as I unlocked my car,
the sleek black SUV sitting quietly in the driveway.
I climbed inside,
slamming the door shut,
locking it instantly to create a barrier between myself and that house.
I caught my reflection in the rearview mirror,
and a gasp escaped my lips.
The outline of Preston's fingers was already turning a deep,
angry shade of red against my pale skin.
My wedding ring,
a heavy diamond band that felt more like a shackle now,
had scraped against my jawline during the impact.
I started the engine,
the powerful purr of the vehicle filling the cabin.
This car was mine,
paid for in full by my own hard work and a graduation gift from my father.
Preston’s sedan was currently in the shop,
meaning he had been relying on my assets for weeks.
I threw the car into reverse,
backing out of the driveway without looking back at the house.
As I drove down the tree-lined streets toward the highway,
the reality began to sink in.
Yesterday,
I was a glowing bride at the Langham Hotel,
surrounded by luxury and false promises.
Today,
I was a victim of domestic abuse,
fleeing a family of psychological predators.
The memories of our dating life began to reframe themselves in my mind,
shifting from romantic to calculated.
When he insisted we move closer to his family,
it wasn't out of filial piety.
It was about control,
about pulling me away from my safety net.
When he suggested I cut back my hours at the pharmacy,
it wasn't for my well-being.
It was an attempt to make me financially dependent on his nonexistent wealth.
My phone began to buzz in the cup holder,
Preston's name flashing across the screen.
I ignored it,
watching the city skyline appear in the distance through the morning fog.
The Sears Tower stood tall,
piercing the gray clouds,
a reminder of the solid ground I needed to find.
I drove straight to my condo in River North,
the building where I had lived peacefully before saying "I do."
The security guard at the front desk,
Marcus,
smiled warmly as I walked through the lobby.
"Good morning,
Mrs.
Harrison,"
he greeted me cheerfully.
"It's just Maya now,
Marcus,"
I replied,
keeping my head down to hide the bruise.
"And please,
do not let anyone up to my unit without calling me first,
especially my husband."
Marcus's smile faded,
replaced by a look of professional concern.
"Understood,
Ms.
Maya,
nobody gets past me."
I took the elevator up to the twentieth floor,
the silence of the metallic box comforting me.
I unlocked my door,
May you like
stepped inside,
and finally let out the breath I had been holding since sunrise.
