Me too.
That evening, I prepared my clothes for work.
Navy trousers, a pale blue blouse, and comfortable shoes.
I set my alarm for 6:30.
It was a simple routine.
Yet after learning how thoroughly Seth had tried to control my decisions, choosing how to spend Monday morning felt especially meaningful.
Chapter 8 — The First Monday
At 7:45 Monday morning, I parked outside the dental practice.
I remained in my car for a moment, gripping the steering wheel.
I’d been using that parking lot for nearly seven years.
The brick building and its street-facing windows looked exactly as they always had.
Nothing here had changed.
But my personal life felt unrecognizable.
My phone buzzed.
Paige had messaged:
You okay?
I replied:
I’m at work.
She answered:
Proud of you. Call me tonight.
I managed my first smile of the morning.
Then I put my phone away and entered the building.
Dr. Bennett had already arrived.
