Page 4 of The Rules

What she finds instead is fire.

“You’re just like him,” she whispers at last. “Stubborn. Reckless.” A breath. A tremor. “And still I let you.”

A nod. Reluctant. Resigned. Permission.

The fridge hums. Somewhere, a clock ticks.

The world doesn’t change. But Katherine has.

And she will not look back.

???

The café hums with life, the scent of burnt coffee and fryer oil clinging to the air. Dishes clatter, voices rise and fall, but Kath barely hears them anymore. She weaves through the chaos, balancing trays, scribbling orders, forcing polite smiles while exhaustion weighs heavy on her limbs. Her feet ache, hands sting from hours of scrubbing, but tonight, none of it matters.This is the last time.

She slides a tray onto a crowded table, dodging elbows and laughter. A man in a worn suit reaches out, his hand brushing hers. "Thanks, darling," he says, his gaze lingering too long.

She pulls away, smile tightening into a polite mask.

"Enjoy your meal," she replies, voice crisp as she turns away. Her heart hammers in her chest, but she doesn't let it show.Control is everything.

Behind the counter, Tammy looks up from the register, brows furrowed in concern. "You okay?" she mouths silently.

Kath nods sharply, grabbing a cloth to wipe down tables. She can feel Tammy's eyes on her back, worry radiating off her friend like heat. But Kath can't afford to break now—not yet.

A group of rowdy teens spills into the booth by the window, laughing too loud and jostling each other. Kath approaches them, pen poised over her notepad. "What can I get you?" she asks, voice steady despite the throbbing in her temples.

One of them grins up at her, all braces and acne. "How about your number?" His friends hoot and holler as Kath forces a smile that feels like ice cracking under pressure.

"How about something from the menu? I promise, it tastes better than bad pickup lines." There’s laughter—but her smile never reaches her eyes. They mumble apologies and place their orders quickly, eyes darting nervously between each other and the sharp edge of her gaze.

As she strides away from their table toward the kitchen window, where orders are displayed for the cooking staff to see, she permits herself a brief moment—a solitary breath in which the tension loosens its hold on her ribs.This is almost over.

The coworker leans against the counter as she rushes past, smirking. “So? You finally got enough for school?”

Kath slows just enough to meet his gaze, a quiet certainty settling in her chest.

“Yeah,” she says, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. “This was my last shift.”

The words feel foreign, unreal, but they’re true. After tonight, she’ll never step foot in this place again. The clatter of dishes and the hum of conversation fade into the background as she lets the reality sink in. Her fingers grip the tray more firmly, her knuckles paling. This isn’t just a decision; it’s a promise—to herself and to Lisa.

She turns away from her coworker, not waiting for a response. She weaves through the crowded café, her steps lighter than they’ve been in months. Each table she passes is a step closer to freedom, each order delivered a burden lifted.

Tammy watches from behind the register, concern etched into her features. Kath offers her a reassuring nod, a silent promise that everything is under control.Tammy’s brow furrows deeper, but she doesn’t press further. She knows better than anyone that once Kath sets her mind to something, there’s no turning back.

As she clears the last table of the night, Kath can feel the anticipation building within her. She stacks the dishes carefully, taking a moment to appreciate the mundane task for what it is—a final act before stepping into the unknown. The ceramic clinks softly as she sets them down by the sink, a sound that echoes with finality.

She unties her apron slowly, methodically folding it before placing it on the counter. Her name tag follows suit, the plastic cold against her fingertips as she sets it down gently. Each movement is deliberate, a symbolic shedding of her old life. She takes one last look around the café—the familiar sights and sounds now tinged with nostalgia—before turning away for good.

Tomorrow, everything changes.

Chapter2

Benjamin

The city is still wrapped in the hushed silence of early morning when Benjamin wakes, his body attuned to function on mere fragments of sleep. A faint throb pulses behind his eyes,

a vestige of another night spent wrestling with ghosts, but he dismisses it with a blink. He moves through his morning routine like clockwork—scalding shower, razor-sharp suit, silver cuffs that gleam under the bathroom lights. Each action is deliberate, stripped of excess, honed to perfection.