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A Necessary Detour
Chloe
Seattle, Washington
27 weeks & 5 days pregnant
“Chloe March checked into a mental health facility six years ago!” The reporter smiled on the television. “Here with an exclusive look and a discussion for what she might’ve been there for, given her limited employment history, is Dr. Lee Ann Barbara.”
“Miss March is a real piece of work.” The doctor laughed as she speculated my visit for all the wrong reasons, too stupid to check how it lined up with my parents’ deaths.
“It’s not about the truth, Chloe. It’s about what sells…”
Tears fell down my cheeks, confirming that I was making the right decision today. No matter how much it hurt, this was the right decision, once and for all.
Tyler’s footsteps suddenly sounded in the hallway—followed by his small rolling suitcase—and I turned off the television.
I double-checked to make sure I had everything I needed and stood to my feet.
He smiled when he stepped in the doorway, but it quickly faded. “Why does it look like you’ve been crying all day?”
“Because I have.”
“Want to take a shower and talk about it?” He looked around the room. “Wait a minute. Where are your things?”
“Kristin and Madison helped me move them over the weekend.”
“Move them where?”
“Out.” My voice cracked. “I moved out.”
He loosened his tie. “Am I missing something?”
“I can’t stay here anymore.”
“You’re not returning to the cracker box, are you?”
I smiled. My heart hurt too much to laugh.
“I’m not living there,” I said. “It’s … somewhere else.”
“What’s the address?”
“I’d prefer if you didn’t know.”
He blinked, confused.
“I can’t live like this, Tyler,” I said. “I’m sorry, but I’m done. I can’t be with you anymore either.”
“What?”
“I’m not built for this,” I looked into his eyes as he stepped closer.
“I thought we discussed you giving me time to figure it out for the long-term.”
“I don’t think there’s a solution for this,” I said.
“Chloe—”
