#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…”

However, unperturbed, Karl points at a cafe

at least get you some coffee for the trip home? Some breakfast,

train—”

“I’m not hungry.”

pauses. “I’m sure you’ll be hungry in a little while, and you’ll wish you had

another part of me wants to tell

to brass tacks, I can’t bring myself to respond

on the passing scenery outside the

Karl’s voice fades into the background, overshadowed

thoughts, and

feels like an eternity, and Karl pulls into

to get out, my fingers clutching my bag tightly. He

I don’t want to

can we talk? Before you go?” he asks, his voice laced with a desperation that

moved me once.

think we’ve said enough,

wanted to win you back,” he

the pathetic context of it all, turns

me back?” I repeat, my voice rising. “By

That’s not

“But Abby, I—”

it,” I cut him off, my patience at its end. “Your chances were up the moment

intervene in my life

about to speak, but then he just nods. His shoulders slump

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

not to touch his hands when I

do this,” he says softly, as if finally realizing the finality of this

know. I want

back, giving me space to walk away. For a second, our eyes meet,

flicker of the man I once knew, the man I once thought was changing

that now.

make my way into the

into a seat that offers a clear view

me with his hands in

the train starts to move. His figure grows smaller and

of past mistakes and broken trust, until he’s just a

exhale a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

for certain: I can’t let Karl in again. Not

I ever let him back

forward, gaining momentum as it pulls away from the platform.

still stands there, his figure becoming a mere speck in

me, but I push it aside. This is the

back now.

thought, a sudden rush of sensation floods me—a

jolts my

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