#Chapter 91: Commuter Train
Abby

The morning sunlight streams through the curtains, casting a warm glow that starkly contrasts with the

cold feeling settling in my chest.

I’ve been up all night, haunted by Karl’s confession, the unending complications it brought into my life,

and the dilemma of Adam’s unknown intentions. Now, packing my bags feels like I’m folding away

pieces of a life that’s no longer within reach, no matter how close I almost came to trying to take it back.

I’m dressed in jeans and a hoodie for the train, and I’m almost done packing when the door swings

open. I glance up, startled, and there he is—Karl, his eyes puffy and bloodshot, a day-old stubble

darkening his jawline. It’s clear that he didn’t sleep much last night, either.

For a moment, he seems like a stranger, but the heartache I feel tells me he’s anything but.

“What do you want?” I snarl, unable to hide my disdain. “I’m almost done packing, and I’m about to call

my Uber. So if you have something to say, don’t waste my time.”

“Abby, let me take you to the train station,” he murmurs.

I roll my eyes, zipping my suitcase shut with a little more force than necessary. “That won’t be

necessary.”

“But it’s the least I can do—”

I cut him off, my voice tinged with bitterness. “The least you could have done was not interfere in my

life. Look where that got us. But it’s too late now, so if you’ll excuse me, I’m leaving.”

He flinches as I try to pass him with my bag in hand, but then he steps forward and grabs my suitcase

before I can stop him. “I’m taking you to the train station, Abby. You don’t have to talk to me, but I’m

taking you.”

I want to argue, but the defeated look on his face gives me pause. Do I have the energy for another

confrontation? Sighing, I grab my handbag and follow him out of the room.

The car ride is tense, each passing mile stretching the silence taut like a tightrope between us. Karl

attempts small talk, but it’s in vain.

“So, you want some music, or…”

at a cafe along the

you some coffee for the trip home? Some breakfast,

train—”

“I’m not hungry.”

“I’m sure you’ll be hungry in a little while, and

of me wants to agree, and another part of me wants to tell him to

brass tacks, I can’t bring myself to

fixed on the passing scenery outside the window, a dull

my mood perfectly. Karl’s voice fades into the background,

own thoughts, and he eventually gives

station after what feels like an eternity, and Karl pulls into a parking

out, my fingers clutching my bag tightly. He turns off the ignition

searching for something I don’t

go?” he asks, his voice laced with a

moved me once.

we’ve said enough, don’t

I did because I wanted to win you

eyes, mixed with the pathetic context of

my voice rising. “By

life? That’s not love, Karl,

“But Abby, I—”

at its end. “Your chances were

in my life

looks like he’s about to speak, but

car, dragging my suitcase out of the trunk. I step

taking care not to touch

softly, as if finally realizing the finality of

know. I

space to walk away. For a second, our eyes meet, and in

man I once thought was changing for the better. But it’s too late

that now.

another word, I make my way into the station. I hand

onto the train, settling into a seat that offers a

spot, watching me with his

train starts to move. His

broken trust, until

exhale a breath I didn’t

one thing’s for certain: I can’t let Karl in again. Not now, not

ever let him

momentum as it pulls away from the platform. I can’t help but

window one last time. Karl still stands there, his figure becoming a mere speck

of guilt tugs at me, but I push it

back now.

a sudden rush of sensation floods

jolts my senses

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