Chapter 20
TWENTY
MOLLY
The next day, I’m woken up by a loud commotion downstairs.
I’m a ball of nerves as I descend the stairs.
The hall leading to the front door is littered with cardboard boxes, while two uniformed men shift them outside.
“What’s going on?” I ask Matt, who is overseeing it.
“Morning, baby,” he greets, joining my side. “I’m shipping out Dad’s stuff.”
“Shipping out?”
“Yeah. He took a transfer and starts tomorrow at Pine Falls, Montana. He flew out this morning.”
Last night was a goodbye?
A sad, choking noise spills from my lips. A burning sensation scalds my insides. I press my palm against my chest, feeling my heart crumble.
Tears blur my vision.
“Molly?” Matt’s concerned voice sounds far away. “You okay?”
He left.
Alexander left me.
He’s gone.
Someone shakes me. “Molly!”
Taking a step back, I turn around and run upstairs to Alexander’s room. It’s empty and soulless. All his stuff is gone, like he never existed here. My eyes flick to the nightstand, catching something white peeking out from the top drawer.
I rush toward it, grabbing the folded paper.
Little Bird is scrawled on top.
Like he knew I’d come straight here.
Sitting down on the bed, I open the handwritten note and read.
Sometimes truly loving someone means letting them go.
I’m freeing you, little bird.