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Novel Catalog
Chapter_43
Quinn moved slowly, each step deliberate as she ascended the staircase, her mind racing. The decision had been made, but the weight of it still felt crushing. Her fingers grazed the railing as she reached the hallway, her thoughts clouded with the recent events. She wanted to leave. She needed to leave. But the truth was, there was a part of her that couldn’t fully shake the ache, the lingering attachment to a man who had once meant everything.
Her room was quiet, too quiet, as she began to gather her things. She moved mechanically, her body working without much thought. Clothes, shoes, personal items—nothing felt particularly important, yet everything seemed to weigh on her. She folded each item slowly, as though taking one last look at the life she had built here, the life that had become a lie.
Downstairs, Alexander was nowhere to be found, and Quinn didn’t expect him to be. He had already made it clear that he didn’t care. The man who had once whispered sweet promises to her had disappeared, leaving behind someone who now barely even acknowledged her presence.
She was nearing the end of her packing when she heard footsteps outside her door. They were heavy, purposeful. Without turning, Quinn knew who it was. Alexander.
The door opened without a knock, and he stepped inside, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the room. His gaze settled on her suitcase, which was almost packed. His jaw clenched, but he said nothing. The silence stretched on for several tense moments.
“You’re really leaving,” he finally said, his voice cold, almost incredulous. His posture remained rigid, as though he was struggling to keep his composure.
Quinn stood still, her back to him as she zipped up her bag. “Yes,” she replied, her voice steady, though inside, her heart was heavy with a mix of relief and sadness. “It’s over.”
Alexander’s expression twisted, a dark shadow passing over his face. For a brief moment, Quinn thought she saw something more—something like regret—but it was gone almost as soon as it had appeared.
“You think this is what you want?” His voice was low, almost a whisper. “You think running away will make everything better?”
Quinn closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before she turned to face him. She was done with the games, done with the broken promises. “I’m not running away, Alexander. I’m choosing to live.”
He stared at her for a long moment, his lips pressing into a thin line. “You’re making a mistake.”
“Maybe,” Quinn said, her voice unwavering. “But it’s my mistake to make.”
The finality in her words seemed to hit him like a blow. He stood there for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before his face hardened once more. “Two weeks,” he said curtly. “I’ll have the papers ready.”
Quinn didn’t respond. She simply picked up her bag, shoulders square, and walked past him without a backward glance. She wasn’t sure what awaited her outside this house, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she was taking control of her own future.
As she stepped out the door, the weight of her decision settled around her like a cloak. She wasn’t sure what the road ahead held, but she knew it was better than staying trapped in a marriage that had long since lost its meaning. The path was uncertain, but it was hers to walk.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, Quinn felt a flicker of hope.
