Chapter 50

Renee’s POV

Eric places a steadying hand on my bouncing knee. He gives me a gentle smile and I try to return it, but I’m sure it looks forced.

I look at Debbie. She has her headphones in and is typing away on her new phone that I got her. I wouldn’t normally get her one, but after two kidnappings I figure its probably best that she has one.

I asked her what she’s doing and she nudged away from me saying she’s doing some writing practice on a learning app.

Normally I wouldn’t appreciate her shrugging me off, but I imagine she’s a little overwhelmed with the sudden move, so I let it go.

“Once she sees how beautiful California is, she’s going to love it,” Jasper says cheerily and I try to match his energy. This should be an exciting moment, but all I have is a looming sense of dread.

This isn’t how I should be feeling when launching a business. That part excites me, but everything else about it seems wrong and I can’t put my finger on why.

Financially the numbers are looking good, I have the support Emily who is ecstatic to visit me in California, and I get to go back to living my life as it was. Yet that seems to be the part that gets me.

“Los Angles is so unique too, unlike any other city,” Jasper continues.

“Isn’t the city air bad for Debbie’s health?” I ask, thinking of any sort of excuse as to point out why this whole endeavor won’t work. Jasper shakes his head.

“I wouldn’t bring her to a place that is bad for her,” He says like I’ve offended him.

“I know,” I exhale. “I’m sorry, it’s just- this all is happening really fast,” I say. Jasper folds his brochure in half and squares his body towards mine.

“I can’t believe you didn’t do this years ago, right after when you first left him,” Jasper says in a hushed tone.

I shrug. I look around the airport and take mental notes of those around us. I wonder what their stories are.

Are people going home? Are they going on vacation? How many of them are running away? As far as I can tell everyone looks lost in their own world, preoccupied to see how we all make up little parts in each other's stories.

“I guess it will be cool to see the impact I make,” I say now envisioning the people here wearing clothes that I make.

“That’s the spirit,” Jasper says and gives me a playful shove. “I’m going to go get us some coffee,” Jasper says.

“Maybe add a shot of rum in mine,” I say half-jokingly.

Jasper laughs. “Good one,” He walks away and I know I won’t be getting any liquor in my coffee. If I were here with Eric though . . . No, I stop myself.

This is exactly why I need to leave. I’m thinking about him too much and as far as he knows, he was only my boss. Now my ex-boss.

“Attention please,” the worker says over the speakerphone. No one, but me, seems to pay her any attention. “We will begin boarding in five minutes,” I look at my ticket in my hand.

As our first business move we decided to fly business class which means we are one of the firsts who will be boarding. I have five minutes to decide if I go or if I stay.

The answer should be obvious. There’s nothing left for me here. My fancy job is no more, we’d have to get a new doctor, we’d be living in constant fear of Mia. There’s no point.

Going would mean freedom, more financial opportunities, a better place for Debbie to live.

Once I get on that plane, that’s one step closer I am to the point of no return, though I laugh to myself as I think about how my last plane ride was also almost one of no return, except that one almost ended with death, this one just means no chance of returning to Eric.

“We will now begin boarding” The lady says over the speaker. Butterflies ticket my stomach. New Beginnings, here I come.

Military personnel begin lining him to have their tickets scanned. Jasper comes back and hands me a to-go cup. “Cheers,” he says and taps our plastic lids together.

“Annie,” someone shouts. I freeze. I know that voice.

“What the-?” Jasper says, his eyes growing wide with concern. I force myself to stay facing forward and not turn back. There’s no reason to respond if that’s not my name.

“Annie, I know it’s you,” Eric says, his voice growing closer. By now people are looking around trying to spot who he’s looking for.

“Daddy!” Debbie shouts and jumps down from her seat leaving her phone open on the seat behind her. Only now can I see she’s been texting Eric.

I stand up, painfully aware of the eyes that follow. Jasper stands in front of me, blocking me from Eric.

“What are you doing here?” Jasper confronts. I watch over his shoulder as Eric makes his way to us, moving pedestrians aside. He’s partially turned, his clothes ripping at his arms.

“Taking my wife and child home,” Eric says and I gasp. He knows. At first my mind instantly goes to Mia. Other than Jasper she’s the only one who knows.

“Yay!” Debbie runs over to eric and I swing my arm out to stop her, but she’s too agile and I miss. This is what I get for her health improving.

“Deborah, get back here!” I yell.

“No!” Debbie shouts back at me and runs into Eric’s arms. He lifts her up with ease, wrapping his arms around her and inhales her scent. My heart pounds. Debbie told him. But how does Debbie know?

“Renee is a grown woman who can make choices for herself,” Jasper says refusing to back down despite the ever-growing apparent reality that Eric knows the truth.

I realize now that our plane has stopped boarding. People have stopped to watch what is going on.

“That’s Annie and she’s coming home with me,” Eric demands.

“You don’t have to do that,” Jasper says but he’s wrong.

“With no death certificate or divorce papers, I’m legally bound to him,” I whisper into Jasper’s ear. The security at the airport won't let me leave now. I start to move out from Jasper, he grabs my hand and spins me around.

“This isn’t over,” He tells me as his eyes frantically search mine. “I’m going to get you out of this,” He promises me, but I don’t know if he can keep that promise.

Seeing my doubt, Jasper winks. “I’m the miracle worker, remember?” I give a sad smile.

“Get your hands off my wife!” Eric yells and my heart gets stuck in my throat. I see the fear in cross Jasper’s eyes too and it’s in that split second that I realize there is no true way for Jasper to guarantee that he can get me out of this mess.

I walk over to Eric and look up at Debbie in his arms. This whole time I was worrying about Mia telling Eric and it was Debbie all along. I should have seen it coming. I can’t even be mad. She’s been telling me since she could talk that she wants a dad.