64."Emma's Plan"

Emma

The music continued playing on the radio, accompanying my thoughts in the darkness of the road. Each kilometer I covered took me further away from the life I had known until now.

It was a one-way journey, but I needed to move forward, not just for myself but for the baby growing inside me. It was dawn, and I knew Andrew would soon realize I was missing. I felt fear about what he might do to me, but my survival instinct was stronger than everything else.

I grabbed my small backpack from the car and paid the taxi driver, thanking him with a forced smile as I got out. I was in New Jersey.

I stopped in front of a hotel, and to be honest, I didn't know anything about this place. The hotel was a solid and well-maintained building with a red brick façade. A lit sign at the entrance announced the establishment's name, "The Starlight Hotel." The entrance had a sliding glass door that opened as I approached, welcoming me.

I stood at the hotel counter, about to check in. My mind was filled