I know I’m not—that dream felt so damn real.
“You’re going to need some bandages for your feet. We only have a few Band-Aids in the first-aid kit. The cut on your leg is small, but I’ll have to go down to Mom’s to see if she has something we can use. Will you be okay here for five minutes?”
I nod. “Of course. I’ll be fine. I’ll wait here.”
He kisses my temple and stands, then heads out. I sigh and decide to keep myself occupied while he’s gone. My eyes shift to the flowers on the table from when I was in hospital, and I realize I haven’t read any of the cards attached to them. Pulling the coffee table toward me, I open them, one by one.
To my darling Jenifer. Hope you get well soon. Love always, Mom.
Baby, I love you so much. Get well soon. Forever yours, Aiden. xoxo
Dear Jeni. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Love Callie, Brielle,
Killian, and Daniel.
I smile and take the last card from the biggest bunch of flowers and read.
I’m sorry, Jeni
My heart starts to pound. I read the card a second time and look at it with a sense of familiarity.
Why would anyone write ‘I’m sorry’? What a weird thing to say.
Maybe it’s like ‘I’m sorry you’re sick’? No, that doesn’t seem right.
The
Then it hits me.
It’s the same person who sent me the flowers originally and then the teddy bear.
Suddenly, my skin prickles in goosebumps, and my heart beats faster. I realize the person who’s been taunting my dreams is the dark figure who lit the fire. It must’ve been the person I saw in the elevator when the doors were closing on my way to the kitchen that night. Memories flood back in a split second as I remember vividly turning off the stove before I went to the bedroom. When I came back, the kitchen was on fire, and the elevator doors were definitely closing.
The person must’ve been in the apartment but on their way out.
The dark figure was actually in our apartment.
With me.
My heart beats so fast, I feel physically ill.
The elevator chimes, and a sense of relief hits me that Aiden is back, and I can discuss this with him.
The doors open, and I glance up to see a manly figure dressed in black, but his head is down. I can’t see who he is, but my heart smashes against my chest. My feet hurt as I stand defensively when he enters the living room.
“Who the hell are you?” I yell.
He lifts his head.
His dark eyes meet mine, and I recognize him instantly.
“Jason?”
He takes a step toward me.
I take one back, and my abusive ex stands in front of me.
Jason tilts his head, staring right through me. “I see you got my flowers, Jeni.”