Chapter 6
That day, I locked myself in my room.
I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I simply sat there in silence, letting the weight of everything settle into my bones.
Not long after, my parents returned home.
“Florida is thousands of miles away,” my mom said cautiously, watching me like I might shatter at
any moment.
Behind her, my dad hid behind his newspaper, pretending to read–but I could see the way his eyes flicked over the edge, studying me just as carefully.
I slipped on my coat, brushing off their concern with a lighthearted tone.
“But the weather’s great there, right? Isn’t that the dream–to retire and settle down somewhere
warm?”
I hooked my arm around my mom’s shoulders, squeezing gently.
“The only problem is work. I haven’t found the perfect fit yet, so I’m thinking of opening my own dance studio. It’s a serious decision, but you know me–I’ve never been too concerned about chasing
the spotlight.”
My mother frowned, hesitating. “Chloe, honey, are you sure this is what you want?”
I glanced at my watch and smiled.
“Yes, Mom. I’ve given it a lot of thought.”
My voice was calm, steady. I needed them to believe that.
“I’m fine. I know what I’m doing, so don’t worry about me.”
kissed her cheek, a fleeting touch. “You should be more worried about your savings, honestly.
Moving is expensive, you know.”
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Love Lost in Time
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Chapter 6
Then I grabbed my keys and walked out the door.
Maybe time and distance would dull the pain. Maybe putting thousands of miles between myself and Leo would finally let me breathe.
I had loved him fiercely, recklessly–too much, probably.
But I hadn’t begged. I hadn’t broken.
I had kept my dignity intact.
I thought we would part on neutral terms, go our separate ways with quiet understanding.
But I never expected to be locked out.
I stood in front of his apartment, staring at the keypad.
I entered the passcode.
[Incorrect.]
I tried again.
[Incorrect.]
And again.
[Incorrect.]
A slow, burning rage unfurled in my chest.
I knocked.
No response.
For the first time in years, I hesitated before calling him.
The phone rang.
Once. Twice. Three times.
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Then the line went dead.
I tried again.
The fourth call–straight to voicemail.
The fifth–finally, a response.
But it wasn’t a call.
A message popped up instead.
Leo: On a date. Don’t bother me.
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself not to hurl my phone against the wall.
“Password.”
I typed the single word, my patience hanging by a thread.
Seconds later, the message bubble turned red.
A bright, mocking exclamation mark.
Message failed to send.
I stared at the screen in disbelief.
He had blocked me.
He had actually blocked me.
I pressed my fingers to my temples, rubbing at the headache forming there.
I should leave. I should just walk away.
But the more I thought about it, the angrier I got.
Fine.
If he wanted to be petty, I could be petty.
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Love Lost in Time
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Chapter 6
I pulled out my phone again–this time, to call a locksmith.
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