Broken Engagement, Berlin Escape

sprinting towards his car. He didn' t wait for my response, didn' t glance back. The black c

ht of the engagement ring in my pocket felt heavier than ever, a cruel joke. I started walking, the rain soaking

d, terror seizing me. Instinctively, my trembling fingers fumbled for the quick-dial button on my

aled

e, harsh and impatient. "Katelyn, what is it

with terror, the mugger' s hand sti

earing pain exploded across my cheek as a brutal slap sent me sprawling to the ground. My e

ice snarled. I was dragged across the wet pavement, my body scraping against the rough concrete.

was useless. He was too strong. Despair, cold and absolute,

f shouts. "Hey!

t darkness. The mugger hesitated, then cursed, shoving me violently to the grou

filled with concern. "Are you okay? Did he

he nearest student, burying my face in their shoulder, sobbing violently. The terr

ugh the haze of tears. The Graham I loved, the one who would protect me, was truly gone. He was a phantom, a fi

er, I started packing my bag. My movements were calm, deliberate. I wa

symbol of a future that would never be. A twisted, bitter smile touched my lips. Some things, I realized, were simply not meant to be carried forward. This ring, this ghost of a pr

ully on the bedside tab

risingly light. "I'd like to check out, p

softly. "Leaving us so soon? Here, hav

a genuine smile gracing

el, leaving London, leavi

Ellis

away from her. We were in front of her apartment, the cold air st

sweater, "it's freezing! Don't you want to

her manufactured vulnerability. But Katelyn's distressed

e headline: "Mugging attempt in London's West End, young woman assaulted." Bel

atelyn. My Katelyn. My stomach dropped. I remembered her frantic call, her scr

ad. My hands began to tremble. No.

ing, automated voice informed me: "We are sorry. The number you hav

words slammed into me, knocking the air fr