Ariana’s POV
The airport was loud with people rushing everywhere. Announcents blaring over speakers.
Suitcases rolling across the floor.
And I sat in the middle of it all, feeling nothing.
Just empty and hollow like soone had scooped out everything inside and left nothing behind.
Sarah sat beside with her hand on mine.
She had been with all morning packing, and she and Marcus drove to the airport.
"You don’t have to do this," Sarah said. Her voice was soft. Worried. "You can stay with . You can stay as long as you need. You don’t have to run away."
I looked at her, the only person I basically have now, the only person who still looked at like I was worth sothing.
"I’m not running away," I said. My voice was flat. Tired. "I’m just... leaving. There’s nothing left for in New York. Everywhere here reminds of him, and I see his face everywhere, his voice, and I just rember he doesn’t rember . He doesn’t know who I am. He’s married to lissa."
Sarah squeezed my hand. "I know, I know it hurts, but running away won’t make it hurt less. The pain follows you, trust ."
I looked at her.
She was right, but I still needed to leave.
"I’m not running away from the pain," I said. "I’m running toward sothing. I need space, air to breathe. Everywhere here reminds of Dante of our life, what we had and what I lost. It reminds of everything. I can’t breathe here, Sarah, I can’t think. I can’t figure out who I am without him, without the children. Without the life we built."
Sarah’s eyes were wet. "And you think you’ll figure it out in Brooklyn? With your mother?"
I looked down at my hands.
My mother.
I hadn’t spoken to her in years.
Not since her divorce with Dad... I cut her off just as I did with dad, even though she doesn’t deserve it, but she is basically the only family I have left and the only person I could run to.
Now I needed her, or maybe I needed closure.
"It’s ti," I said quietly. "It’s ti I talked to her, and we set things straight... probably figure out a way to end Dad’s shenanigans."
Sarah nodded slowly. "I understand."
I squeezed her hand. "I’ll be okay. I have to be okay for my children. I haven’t seen them in a few days, and it already feels like forever. I have to fight. I have to get them back, and end lissa’s devious plans... I can’t do that if I’m sitting in New York, drowning in mories, waiting for sothing to change."
Sarah pulled into a hug.
"I don’t want you to go," she whispered. "I’m scared. I’m scared you won’t co back. You’re the only family in my life left, and I don’t want to lose you as I did with the others."
I pulled back.
"I’m not disappearing," I said. "I’m not giving up, I’m not letting lissa win. I’m going to Brooklyn to get my head straight."
Sarah nodded, wiping a tear that slipped as she took a deep breath. "Okay, okay. Whatever you need, whenever you need it. I’m here."
I smiled, "I know. That’s why I love you."
I looked up.
Marcus was walking toward us, his face was tired. He was holding sothing in his hand. My passport. I left it in the car.
"Got it," he said, handing it to . "You almost left without this."
I took it. "Thank you, Marcus, for being there."
He sat down beside Sarah.
"You don’t have to thank ," he said. "Dante is my best friend, and you’re family. I would do anything for both of you."
I nodded with a slight smile.
The announcent ca over the speakers.
My flight.
Boarding now.
Final call.
I stood up.
I hugged Sarah first and held her tight. "I’ll call you when I land."
She hugged back. "You’d better, or I’m coming to Brooklyn to drag you back myself."
I chuckled. "I know you would."
I turned to Marcus, and he pulled into a hug. "Take care of yourself."
I nodded, "I will."
I pulled back and looked at both of them.
"Tell the kids I love them."
"We will"
"I have to go," I said.
They nodded.
Sarah was crying with Marcus holding her hand.
I picked up my bag and walked toward the gate.
My legs were heavy.
My heart was heavy.
Every step felt like moving through water.
Like walking away from everything I had ever loved.
I stopped at the entrance to the gate and turned back. They were still there.
I smiled
I would not give up, I would not break, and I would not let them win.
I would fight.
And when I did, lissa would pay so well that Dante and I would get my children back.
No matter what.
No matter how long it took.
No matter what it costs.
I would win.
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