THE DEMON I RUN FROM

rking me back to reality. " better set your head s

it by a mail vehicle. "Yeah you should be" he replied and

bus stop minutes ago. "Yikes!! Does my life need to have a bad start? Lena you reall

life - chaotic, disorganized, and a little bit toxic. I had been so lost in thought, replaying the events

ad. I needed to focus on the present and stop dwelling on the past.

ut the window, watching the city wake up. "The bustling in every corner of the street must give New York

I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was just going throu

e rushing to and fro. I weaved through the crowds, my eyes fixed on the build

r. The doors closed, and I felt a sense of claustrophobia wash ove

me with smiles and nods, oblivious to the emotional storm brewing inside me. I ma

displaying the design project I had been working on. I stared blan

ity. It was Devin, my ex-husband. My heart skipped

onths now, and I was still trying to process my emotions. But something about his call felt different. M

ed, trying to sound calmer than

needed to reach out. I've been thinking a lot about us,

Was he kidding me? We'd been through a messy divorce, a

want to talk about? Had he finally reali

lly, trying to sound nonc

ions. Why had I agreed to meet Devin? Was

t my mind kept wandering. Memories of our time together fl

me back to reality. "Hey, Len

dive back into work. But Rachel's fr

I'm struggling to

s brainstorm together. Sometim

about my day. I hesitated

morning," I

an eyebrow. "E

n her. "I just got a call from

mpathetic. "That can't be eas

't know. Maybe I j

ly. "Whatever you need,

uragement meant m

coffee breaks. I couldn't shake off the feeling that my meeti

ngs and said goodbye to Rachel. "Thanks for

mber, you're strong and capable. Whateve

was right. I was strong and capable. I had survi

th of the crisp Manhattan air. The city was alive and puls

were meeting. My heart was racing, but I felt a sense of resolve

e sidewalk. Devin was already there, sitting at a small table ou

serious. "So, what's this about?" I as

"I wanted to talk to you a

sensing where

d, his words like a punch to th

anger, sadness. "Congratulations,"

this isn't easy, but I wanted to be upfront wi

g a new life with someone else. I felt a pang of jealousy, which I quickly

er now. "Let's get the papers

e'd been expecting a fight. "

he only sound the hum of the coff

appiness too, Lena

le more time, do not cry in front of Devin" I thought. However the tears broke free, streaming down my cheeks. I hurriedly grabbed my bag and dashed out the entrance, ou

in. How do you expect me to be happy for you when I don't even know what happiness loo

ng taken aback by my outburst

e for you and gave you everything you ever needed. You've always gotten what you wanted, when you wanted it. But me? I've begged for happiness my

out to me, but I pushed him away. "Don't touch me! You don't get to comfort me, at

g on with your life. But I'm still here, stuck in the same place I've always been like a lost baggage at the airport, sti

illed with a mixture of guilt

it. I didn't want his apologies or his excuses. I just wante