I don't have to pay for books or tuition for a whole twelve months. The money in my savings account can stay where it is, and I don’t have to find another place to go. Hell, I can even take my time looking for a new job.
The heavy weight that I didn't realize had been sitting on my chest disappears completely, and for the first time in a long while, I feel like I can breathe again. Tears spill from my eyes and trail down the apples of my cheeks. I’ve never felt two conflicting emotions so badly before. Damn him, I think. And also...fucking bless him.
Why would he do this when he let me go?I ask myself. What is he trying to do? What is he saying? Is he...did he want to make sure I was taken care of even if I left? Why would he do that?
The answer is there. I know it is.
I wipe away the tears with the back of my hand and shove off the bed. I know what I have to do, even if I don’t want to.
I’m going to confront him and ask him why he did it. Ask him why he even cares when he told me to run? To leave? It takes all of five seconds to order an Uber, and by the time I get downstairs, the driver is waiting for me.
It’s only a short drive to the industrial park. Ace’s office is located in a seedy-looking building just past the railroad tracks. The car rolls to a stop in front of it. The lady driving the car turns around and gives me a concerned look.
“Are you sure you want me to drop you off here?”
I stare up at the building. "Yes, I’m sure. Thanks for the ride,” I toss over my shoulder as I climb out of the car.
If Ace thought he could tell me to run, and then still be a part of my life and pay for things he had no business paying for, he had another thing coming.