Page 55 of Mended Fences

“No one has to make you.” My voice was stronger now. “The police are already involved. My lawyer has the documentation, the photos, the medical records. I’m filing for divorce.”

The muscle in Peter’s jaw twitched. I knew that twitch. It always preceded violence.

Don’t flinch. Don’t give him the satisfaction.

“You ungrateful bitch.” Peter’s hands curled into fists at his sides. “After everything I’ve done for you?—”

“Donetoher,” Tessa snapped.

“This doesn’t concern you.” Peter’s gaze never left my face. “Elena, you’re making a mistake. We can work this out.”

Classic manipulation. Not this time.

“There’s nothing to work out.” I moved around the kitchen island, putting more distance between us. “I accepted an attending position at another hospital. I’m leaving Detroit.”

Peter’s face darkened. “You what?”

“You heard her.” Elliot’s voice rumbled with barely contained anger. “She’s leaving. Walk away now, before you do something stupid.”

“You’ll regret this, Elena.” Peter’s tone took on a menacing quality I’d yet to hear, despite the violence he’d directed my way. “Mark my words.”

Bile rose in my throat at Peter’s threat. But I wouldn’t let him see my fear. Not anymore.

“Go ahead.” My voice came out steady, stronger than I felt. “Threaten me. Give me more evidence for the restraining order I filed this morning.”

Peter’s face twisted into an ugly snarl, but I took a step forward.

This was it. The end. I looked to Elliot, who picked up the last of my belongings to haul out.

“Goodbye, Peter. I hope you rot in hell.”

Chapter Eighteen

CHASE

Then, April 2024

I pacedthe length of my basement bedroom as I re-read Elliot’s text in the family group chat for the hundredth time.

ELLIOT

Driving to Detroit to help Tessa’s friend Elena move. We got an early start, but we’ll be back late.

My hands itched to text her, but what would I even say?Hey, heard you finally left your abusive dickwad husband. Wanna grab coffee?Yeah, that would go over well.

I flopped onto my unmade bed, the springs creaking in protest. Through the small basement window, fat snowflakes drifted down, coating Sable Point in a fresh blanket of white. Perfect snowboarding weather, but I couldn’t focus on anything except Elena.

Will she want to see me?

She’d said, “see you soon,” but then I had to go and text her that I missed her, and I got crickets in response.

Would I ever stop fucking things up with her?

The last time I saw her... Christ. Her ribs had been a canvas of purple and blue bruises, stark against her tan skin. The memory made my jaw clench, anger burning hot in my chest.

My phone buzzed in rapid succession, but I didn’t wanna look. I just wanted to drown in this misery, this anxiety.

I need a drink.