Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen

• Elaine watched after him, her heart twisting in pain at the words he'd said. She didn't love Colin, but she had hurt him too much that it tugged at her conscience.
• Hours after Colin had left, earlier, she had hugged her trembling body and rocked herself back and forth, her heart filled with emotions she couldn't put a finger on. Fear of escaping being hurt with the gun when he was angry. Remorse at cheating on him. Sadness for her daughter and how this messy situation would affect her. Surprise at how Chris hadn't fought for her. Then anger at Colin again, for trapping her in this marriage, for being the cause of everything that was happening.
• She had cried for a while, and fell into a fitful sleep, only to be awakened by a beep on her phone. Anxiously, she had checked and seen that it was a text from Chris. Relief washed over her, as she had thought he'd abandoned her, and she said as much in her reply to him. In the text, he had apologized for all that happened, and blamed himself for being so careless and causing them both great distress. That he loved her, and couldn't wait to be with her, against all odds. That was all the assurance she needed. He had her back. She would leave this marriage for good, no matter how hard Colin held on.