Lukas's light snoring filled the dark bedroom. He must be tired, peacefully tired with the kind of sound that should've felt safe. Instead it made my heart itch. I lay on my side, one palm flat on his chest, feeling the slow rise and fall under my fingers.

'You deserve so much better, Lukas's I thought.

My mind kept racing, replaying Mateo's voice from the call, the way he had laughed like he already owned tomorrow, the way he had said "come back" like it was a fact instead of a question.

Part of me wanted to go back and another felt I should have self respect.

I shifted my...