Page 134 of Before Dawn

“Don’t,” I managed to say, stepping back.

His eyes widened, and he stopped in his tracks. “Abigail…”

“Don’t,” I repeated, barely above a whisper, backing further into the bedroom. The door felt like salvation, and I reached for it, closing it firmly behind me.

I slumped against the door, the wood cool against my back as my legs gave out and I slid to the floor.

The tears came before I could stop them. My hands pressed to my face, trying to muffle the sobs that wracked my body. My mind raced, faster than I could catch up to it.

I’d known. From the moment he told me about how his anger sometimes got the better of him, I’d known it was there. A part of him. But I’d never witnessed it. Never thought I would have to.

And seeing it now, seeinghimlike that… It was a shock I hadn’t been ready for.

A muffled knock sounded against the door, followed by his voice, low and filled with guilt.

“Baby, I’m so sorry.”

I didn’t respond, my throat too tight to form words.

“I—I didn’t mean for you to hear me like that,” he continued, his voice cracking slightly. “It’s work. Things went wrong, and I let it get the best of me.”

He paused, and I heard him exhale heavily. “I should’ve handled it differently. I know I scared you. I saw it in your eyes. Abigail, please…” His voice softened even more, almost pleading. “Please don’t shut me out,mi amor.”64

The words spilled out, tumbling over each other like he was desperate for me to hear him.

“I never wanted you to see that side of me. God, the last thing I ever want is for you to feel unsafe with me. You’re everything to me,baby.Please.”

I didn’t move. My hands rested in my lap, trembling as I tried to sort through the rush of emotions. This wouldn’t change how I felt about him. I knew that much. But I needed time—just a moment to sit,to think, to let myself breathe again.

After what felt like an eternity, I glanced at the clock. My three hours were almost up. Work beckoned, demanding my attention.

Reluctantly, I forced myself to my feet, wiping at my face and willing the tears to stop. I got dressed quickly, pulling my braids into a high ponytail. When I reached for the door, it felt heavier than usual, like it was carrying the weight of the day.

But what stopped me in my tracks was Mikkel.

“You’re still here,” I said softly, almost to myself.

He stood in the living room, his tall frame tense, and his eyes… They were red. His expression was panicked, vulnerable, like he’d been crying.

I didn’t know what was worse—seeing him angry or seeing him like this.

“I couldn’t leave,” he said quickly. “I couldn’t leave knowing you were upset, knowing I scared you. I—I can’t lose you. I need you to know how sorry I am. For everything. For all of it.”

I opened my mouth, but he kept going, his words spilling out faster than I could process them.

“And I have to take you to work. I wouldn’t be able to—”

“Okay,” I said, cutting him off, unsure of what else to say. My voice sounded foreign, flat, but it was all I could manage.

He followed me to the door, his presence quiet but heavy. As I reached for my bag, he spoke again, his tone hesitant.

“Abigail, I know this probably reminded y—”

I froze. The air around me felt thick again, suffocating. “Don’t finish that sentence,” I said, my voice sharper now. I turned to him, my eyes meeting his. “Let’s just go.”

The words hung between us, heavy and unspoken. He nodded, stepping aside to let me pass.

As we stepped outside into the cool afternoon air, I felt the weight of the moment—his apology, his panic, the lingering tension—and wondered if I’d ever be able to forget the look on his face.

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