She was seventy-one, for heaven’s sake; she didn’t have much more time to waste being unhappy.
At least that was what she kept telling herself each time Eric sent another threatening message, explaining in painstaking detail all of the ways he was going to hurt her and make her pay. But what Eric didn’t know was she didn’t care about the house or the money or even her reputation.
None of it was worth her freedom, not anymore.
Lily sighed and stood. “If he stoops that low, we’ll figure it out. You’re not alone in this.”
Amy pulled Lily in for a hug and lingered.
She wished it was that simple.
But as she followed Lily down the hallway and into the kitchen to make some cucumber and cheese sandwiches, she realized nothing in her life had ever been simple. Ever since she’d laid eyes on Eric all those years ago from across a crowded lobby in the middle of a fundraising event, she’d known nothing was ever going to be the same.
Now, forty-eight years later, she wished she could take it back.
As Lily made small talk, discussing the details of the upcoming renovation to her beach house, Amy tried to focus but found she couldn’t. She kept going back to that night, to the younger version of herself who had leaned against the wall with her shoes in one hand and a drink in the other. She still remembered how it felt to see Eric from across the room and be drawn to the magnetic pull of him.
If she could go back in time, she’d stop herself from accepting his drink.
She’d even tell herself to put her shoes back on and get back to work.
Twenty-two-year-old Amy’s fate had been sealed as soon as Eric pulled her onto the crowded dance floor, his hands wrapping themselves securely around her waist.
When she blinked, Amy found herself staring at Lily, who was leaning over the marble counter and waving a hand in front of her face.
“Are you okay?”
Amy blinked and gave a slight shake of her head. “Yeah, I’ve just been nostalgic lately. A lot is changing.”
Lily sighed and drew herself back up to her full height. “Aunt Ashley says you’re welcome to stay with her while the house is being renovated if you want.”
Amy ran a hand over her face. “It’s probably for the best if I stay there, at least until the renovations are complete.”
Lily poured them both a generous amount of iced tea, and they took their sandwiches and drinks out to the veranda. When Amy leaned over the railing to look out at the sparkling water, Lily pulled up a chair and sighed. In silence, they ate their sandwiches and sipped on their tea till Ben, Lily’s boyfriend,came back, covered in dirt and sweat from head to toe and with his shirt on backward.
He offered them both a smile and a wave before disappearing up the stairs.
As soon as Lily finished her peach iced tea, she carried their empty plates and cups back inside. Amy twisted and saw her take the stairs two at a time. With a sigh, she turned back around and took in the view.
It was one of the most beautiful things she’d seen in a long time.
Half of her was tempted to take out her phone and capture the beauty of the setting sun and the kaleidoscope of colors that lit up the night sky to show to her children. The other half of her was afraid of what would happen if they recognized where she was. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her children, but with Eric trying to pull every trick in the book, there was no telling what he’d do to find out where she’d disappeared to.
Although she knew he had his suspicions, no one could confirm anything.
And she wanted to hold on to her little slice of heaven, her tranquil safe haven, for a little while longer.
Because Amy knew, like most things in her life, it wouldn’t last long.
“There are extra sheets and towels in the linen closet.” Ashley pushed open the door to the guest room, revealing hardwood floors, cream-colored walls, and a single bed overlooking a simple wooden closet propped against the wall next to a separate bathroom.
After making another sweeping hand gesture, she turned to face Amy, a small smile hovering on the edge of her lips.
Neither of the women knew each other, but since Lily and Ben had dropped her off over an hour ago, Lily’s aunt had gone out of her way to make Amy feel welcome. Nestled in a quieter part of Falmouth with two-story houses, the cobblestoned cottage with a chimney on the roof and a lush green garden out front stuck out like a sore thumb.
But Amy didn’t mind.
Not as long as she had plenty of peace and quiet to take stock of everything around her.
