Chapter 124

**Third person**

Once Chloe was outside the house,

More tears blurred her vision as she stumbled down the sidewalk, the coarse concrete biting into the soles of her bare feet.

“I'll never go back to the house,” she kept swearing to herself.

The house seemed to choke her.

What had she seen in Robert?

Why did she get married to a monster like that?

Each ragged breath felt like a betrayal, a harsh rasp against the symphony of her own anger and despair.

She hadn't planned on running away. It had just happened, but she was glad she did.

Now, the cool night air whipped at her hair, a stark contrast to the stifling heat of what had happened earlier, cooling the beads of sweat that had clouded her face.

She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment.

What would have happened if Elizabeth didn't show up then?

The thought sent more tears streaming down her cheeks.

Even drug addicts deserve good partners too, or don't they?

She'd rather be alone than be with Robert.

It was 9:30 p.m. now, and the