Page 101 of I see you Beauty

“Do you need anything important that you want me to pack? Because we’ll probably be staying there for a few days…” I explain to her, throwing some of my clothes into one suitcase.

“Um… I… I don’t know. I don’t think so. I’ve got my laptop and everything I need for school. Mom, what’s going on?” June asks again anxiously.

“I’ll explain everything later. Just go straight to Kelly’s. Don’t stop, and don’t talk to anyone. I love you.” With that, I hang up before I lose the strength I need to get through all of this.

While I pack my suitcase, I try to call Thomas again, but he still doesn’t answer and I’m forced to leave him a voicemail. Not wanting to say the wrong thing or add fuel to the fire, I decide not to tell him anything about my suspicions about Ezra. I have no solid evidence, and Thomas is a lawyer. Without evidence, there is no crime for him. So there’s no need for me to tell him. Besides, I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of him by suggesting that my affair could be a potential killer, for which I still don’t have a single piece of solid evidence.

Am I doing the right thing here? My doubts eat deeper into my heart, and images of the last few months threaten to flood my mind.

But I realize that I not only have to watch out for June but also for Thomas. Ezra would undoubtedly have hurt him far worse yesterday if I hadn’t stopped him. I don’t know if he wants to get revenge on him again or use him to get to me and June. I can’t take any chances, and I’d rather keep him out of all this. It’s only my fault that the ones I love might be in danger. I must find out whether this is the case, but I’m not prepared to take the risk if Jenny is right about everything. I must protect my daughter!

However, I end my voicemail with my plan to tell June that he will be away on business for the next two weeks. I ask him not to contact me because I need distance and time to somehow process all of this and figure out how to explain the separation to our daughter. Inwardly, I wish everything had gone differently, especially now that things have taken such a turn with Ezra…

After I calm down a bit, I hurriedly finish packing my things and June’s, then stomp downstairs with both suitcases to stow them in my car. I quickly dispose of the stew and leave the rest of the dishes that Ezra used for cooking untouched. The main thing is that nothing rots here. I can take care of the rest when I feel safe in my home again.

I let my gaze wander through my house one last time before I turn away and leave it to drive to Kelly’s as quickly as possible.

I'm flooded with thoughts, yet nothing feels clear. I’m at a loss about where to start investigating the truth behind Jenny’s claims. I wish I’d never gotten involved with you, Ezra King!

Chapter Sixty-Eight

When I arrive at Kelly’s, I park behind June’s car and turn off the engine. As soon as I step out, Kelly’s front door swings open, and I spot June, which makes me breathe a sigh of relief. My daughter is safe, and that’s what matters most right now. We’re out of the house where Ezra could come and go, and that’s a step in the right direction.

“Cora, what the… shit, why do you look like? Was that…”

“Don’t worry about it. I was just clumsy and had an unfortunate fall down the stairs yesterday. But apart from a few bruises, I’m fine. Really,” I interrupt Kelly quickly and give her a warning look before turning to June, who is looking at me with shock and concern in equal measure.

“My God, Mom,” she gasps.

Quickly, I take her in my arms and hug her tightly.

“I’m going to be fine, I promise,” I try to reassure her.

“Then what’s all this about? Why are we supposed to move in with Aunt Kelly, and why can’t I go home? What’s going on, Mom?” June demands to know, understandably confused.

I give Kelly a meaningful look. She helps me with the suitcases so I can take care of June and calm her down. I lead her into the house and sit with her on the black leather couch.

“June, it’s difficult to explain, and I can’t tell you exactly what’s happening. But we aren’t safe at home. Ezra… there are suspicions he did bad things to some of his ex-girlfriends. I don’t feel safe near him anymore, and since your father unexpectedly had to go on a business trip for two weeks yesterday, I don’t feel safe anyway. That’s why we’ll stay here for now, and then we’ll see.”

June frowns, completely confused, while Kelly’s makeup almost falls off her face. She is so horrified by my story. I’m about to tell her everything in detail, but not in front of June.

“Mom, what are you talking about? And what assumptions? Who said something so terrible? Ezra as a wife-beater? That’s complete nonsense. You know him better than I do, and you know he’s a nice guy who would never do something like that,” June counters, trying to defend him.

I can’t blame her. If I had the choice, I’d rather believe that none of this is true. Maybe Jenny is lying, and I’ve lost Ezra forever because I didn’t talk to him about it immediately. But what if it is true? Should I put my daughter’s life at risk just because I don’t want to lose my affair? I can’t take any risks.

So, I’d better play it safe and try to do some research. I need to find out the truth.

Let’s just hope I can avoid Ezra and it doesn’t get as bad as Jenny suggested with her friend Sarah. But I can’t worry about that right now.

June still looks like she doesn’t believe a word I say.

“June, please promise me you’ll stay away from Ezra until we know for sure! You may not work for him anymore,” I demand of her.

“But, Mom, who said that?” she objects, demanding answers.

I understand her concern, but it’s not the right time to explain everything. I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. There’s no point in panicking or losing my nerve now.

“An old acquaintance of Ezra’s came to see me and told me things… June, they were very disturbing.”

---