Chapter 14
576words
"Liv, sorry 'bout the mess inside. Have fun cleaning up!" He laughed.
The stench hit us the moment we stepped inside.
What I saw made my fingers twist in the fabric of my shirt.
Dominic lay crumpled on the floor like a broken toy.
Filth covered his face, his clothes, his skin. His eyes stared emptily at the ceiling.
He didn't move when he heard us approach.
Without even looking our way, he spoke softly.
"If this settles your score… then we're even now."
Back home, I started packing my bags.
I'd leave the apartment for Dominic. Jack and I would start fresh in Atlanta.
This time when I left, I wouldn't be coming back.
I never wanted to see Dominic Hayes again.
I couldn't understand why love always brought pain.
It hurt when I loved him. It still hurt now that I didn't.
I'd wanted him to suffer, but watching his humiliation made my chest so tight I couldn't breathe.
I needed to get away from him.
…
In the early hours, Jack brought Dominic back, cleaned up as best he could.
He put Dominic in the guest room. I heard them arguing through the wall.
I caught the word "Atlanta," but didn't want to hear more.
I pulled the covers over my head. Their voices eventually faded.
I don't know how long I lay there before the blanket lifted. Jack stood beside the bed, smiling gently.
"Got us tickets to Atlanta. We leave in five days."
I nodded, relief washing over me.
For the next five days, I didn't speak to Dominic. Just left his meals on the table at regular times.
The first day, he lay with his back to the door. His voice was raw.
"You're going to Atlanta."
"Yes."
"It's nice there. Warm all year. Not like this frozen hellhole."
I set down the tray and left. Seconds later, I heard dishes smashing against the wall.
I didn't look back. He needed to learn to manage alone.
The next day, I left his food as usual.
He said nothing.
Third day, more silence.
Fourth day, I found yesterday's dinner untouched. I still left lunch.
When I came back that evening, lunch sat there cold and untouched.
By the fifth day, he hadn't eaten a thing.
My stomach dropped.
I approached the bed slowly. He still lay facing the wall.
"Dominic."
No answer.
My hands started shaking.
I pulled back the blanket and found all the meals I'd brought, hidden in the bedding. Not a single bite taken.
Grief crashed over me. Tears spilled down my face.
"Dominic Hayes."
My voice broke.
"I'm leaving tonight. Please say something."
His eyes were closed, his face peaceful.
I pushed his shoulder gently. His body was stiff.
I couldn't hold back anymore. I broke down completely.
Dominic Hayes had starved himself to death. His final act of defiance. His last grasp at dignity.
As if saying:
See? I didn't completely break after all.
His death barely caused a ripple in Chicago.
Now he was nothing but dust. Gone without a sound. No one to mourn him.
Marcus and his crew got away clean with what they'd done.
After handling Dominic's funeral, Jack and I headed south as planned.
Chasing that promised spring.
But we both knew the truth.
In this lifetime, we'd never really escape Chicago's winter.
