Chapter 7
There was only one shuttle running between the train station and the base.
On the way here, Ethan had sat beside me, full of questions and wonder.
He chirped away like a little bird, pointing at everything we passed.
Now, on the way back, the silence was suffocating.
I sat in the same seat, but the seat next to me was empty-
except for his backpack.
The driver kept looking at me through the rearview mirror.
Eventually, he couldn’t hold back.
“Headed home for something?”
“Where’s your boy this time?”
I glanced at the backpack and answered quietly.
“He’s here.”
The engine roared, metal rattled.]]
My voice disappeared in the noise.[]
But the driver kept talking.
Ive driven a lot of kids, but yours really stood out.”
“Such a sweet, polite little guy.
First thing he did was hand out dates to everyone on the bus.”
“My wife even said she wished our kid could be half as lovable.”
I didn’t respond.
My Ethan–so thoughtful, so gentle–was gone.]]
When we got off the shuttle, I instinctively tugged the backpack closer, tucking it under my coat.
I remembered how scared Ethan had been the first time we got here, clutching my coat so he wouldn’t get lost.
You don’t have to be afraid anymore, sweetheart.
Mommy’s here.
Mommy’s taking you home
Once we boarded the train, everything would be okay again.
We’d finally be going home.
But just as I was getting my ticket scanned, someone grabbed my wrist and yanked me out of line.]
1: was Jacob.
I tried to pull free, but his grip was iron.
Let me go?!
His eyes were bloodshot. He dung to my suitcase like it was the last thing holding us together.
Tile, don’t go
He was still wearing the backpack he’d bought for Ethan.
My chest twisted!
Jacob, I’m taking our son home. Let go
He pressed his lips together, drew in a breath
I’ve thought about everything I messed up–i neglected you both. That’s on me,”
0
“I was a damn foxd
“Taready tour buy
1 cant ke you loo
In that moment, the man who anse stood so tall kaked like he had aged ten years. {}
Even his temples were starting to grey!
What good is an apology now?¶
Can it bring him back?!
want going to pretend anymore!
Iinid it all barn
Jacob fell silent.
He tried to speak, but I’d already stopped listening.
I’d given him chance after chance.
I’d hoped time would make him realize how much Ethan and I mattered.
But I was wrong.
And now, my son was gone.]
If only I hadn’t given him so many chances.
If only I’d taken Ethan back to the countryside sooner.
Maybe none of this would’ve happened.
When he saw I wouldn’t budge, Jacob tightened his grip, trying to drag me away.
“Come home with me. We can talk this through, please.”
I snapped at him, my voice sharp:
“Jacob, this is a public place!“]
“You can’t force me! I’m not going with you!”
People were starting to watch.
away.
Even if they saw his uniform and didn’t intervene, the crowd growing around us said enough.
Still he wouldn’t stop.
He pressed my hand to his forehead like he was begging for mercy.
“Ellie, I know I messed up.“]
Please, just one more chance.
“I can’t lose you too. Hit me, scream at me, I don’t care. Just don’t leave.”
Jacob had always cared about his image more than anything.
I’d never seen him this desperate.
But instead of feeling moved, I just felt… tired.]]
Almost sorry for him. Almost.]
I sighed.
Jacob. We’re already divorced. Let’s stop dragging this out.”
“No. No, I won’t accept that!“]
He shook his head, refusing to let go.
The boarding announcement came over the loudspeaker.
I glanced back toward the train]
Jacob panicked.
He knew the second he let go, I’d be gone for good.
As he hesitated, I saw my chance
I pointed over his shoulder and shouted:
Liman!
Just like I thought, he turned []
And I balled
I ran for the train, heart pounding
Behind me, Jarzh shouted my name, but the crowd swallowed his voice]
1 clutched the backpack cins and stepped unto the train
Only then did I finally k
“Ithan were gung home 4
