"No," I managed to say, my voice trembling, breath short.
Anne suddenly grabbed my hand tightly, eyes wide with something between desperation and fury.
"No! I'm pregnant, Tyler!" she yelled, as if those words alone should change everything. "This is our happy ending. Mine and Eric's. I know everything between us is still fucked up, but we'll find a way. We'll settle down."
Her voice cracked, and she looked away. "And I know… you'll never be truly happy for us. So just leave. Start over. Please. You finally have a way out."
My chest caved in with each word.
"I remember," she went on, more quietly, "when you were signing that contract, you didn't want it. You never wanted to be anyone's bodyguard. You promised us you'd find the money and leave this life behind. We swore we'd help you find that peace."
Her hand slid away from mine.
"This is me trying to hold my end of that promise. You still have a shot. Just go."
She took a step back, voice thick with emotion. "Tyler… leave."
