Chapter 2

The door to the next apartment opened, revealing the man I only knew as Liam. He was taller up close, with broad shoulders that strained the fabric of his plain grey t-shirt. His hands were calloused, and a light dusting of sawdust clung to his dark hair. He looked surprised to see me.

"Chloe? Is everything okay?" His voice was deep and calm.

I had planned to be strong, to just ask for a simple favor. But seeing a kind face made my composure crumble. I forced a wobble into my voice, letting my eyes well up with tears I didn't have to fake.

"I'm so sorry to bother you," I started, making myself look down at the floor as if I were too ashamed to meet his gaze. "It's my boyfriend, Mark... we had a fight. A bad one. He, uh, he told me to leave."

I let out a small, shaky breath. "I don't have anywhere to go right now. My friends all live across town. I was just wondering... I know this is a huge thing to ask... if I could maybe just sit on your couch for a little while? Just until I can figure out what to do."

I made myself look small and helpless, a damsel in distress. It was a role I despised, but right now, it was a tool for survival.

Liam' s expression softened immediately from surprise to concern. He stepped back, holding the door open wider.

"Of course. Don't be silly. Come in, come in."

I stepped inside. His apartment was the mirror image of mine, but it felt completely different. It smelled like fresh-cut pine and lemon cleaner, not stale pizza. It was tidy, but lived-in. A half-finished wooden toy boat sat on the coffee table, surrounded by tiny carving tools. In the corner, a small pink backpack was slumped against the wall.

"Please, have a seat," he said, clearing a space on the comfortable-looking couch. "Can I get you some water? Or tea?"

"Water would be great, thank you," I mumbled, sinking into the cushions.

He went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of cold water. He didn't press me for details. He just sat in the armchair opposite me, giving me space. He picked up the toy boat and a small block of wood, his hands moving with quiet, practiced skill as he began to carve. The gentle scraping sound was surprisingly soothing.

After a few minutes of silence, I spoke up again, keeping my voice fragile.

"He does this sometimes. Tells me I'm too emotional. That my work isn't important." I looked at him, letting a single tear trace a path down my cheek. "He kicked me out of our apartment. The one I pay for."

Liam' s hands stilled. He looked up from his carving, and his eyes were full of a quiet anger that was entirely on my behalf.

"That's not right, Chloe."

His simple validation was so powerful it almost made me cry for real. Mark would have told me I was exaggerating.

"I need to find a new place," I said, my voice gaining a bit of strength. "I just... I don't know where to start. I feel so overwhelmed."

Liam put his tools down. "I might be able to help with that. I do odd jobs and small renovations for a few landlords in this neighborhood. I know there's a small studio apartment that just opened up a few blocks from here. It's not much, but it's clean and safe. The landlord is a decent guy."

Hope, sharp and sudden, pierced through my despair. "Really? That would be... amazing. Could you give me the landlord's number?"

"I can do better than that," he said, standing up. "I'll call him for you now. I'll tell him you're a friend of mine. It might help you get the place without a lot of hassle."

He went above and beyond. He not only called the landlord but also vouched for me. He described me as a responsible, quiet professional. Within an hour, he had arranged for me to see the apartment first thing in the morning. He even offered to help me move a few essential things.

"I can't thank you enough, Liam," I said, my voice thick with genuine gratitude. I pulled my wallet out of my purse. "Please, let me pay you for your time. For the help."

I took out two hundred dollars and held it out to him.

He looked at the money and then back at me, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. He shook his head.

"No, Chloe. I can't take that. I'm just helping a neighbor."

"I insist," I said, pushing the money into his hand. "You're taking time away from your work. Please. It would make me feel better."

He hesitated for a moment, then slowly closed his fingers around the bills. "Okay. But only if you let me buy you dinner tomorrow after we get you moved in."

A small smile touched my lips. "That sounds like a deal."

I spent the night on his comfortable couch. He gave me a fresh set of sheets and a pillow, and for the first time in months, I felt safe.

The next day, Liam was as good as his word. He drove me to see the studio. It was small, just one room with a tiny kitchen and bathroom, but it was clean and had a big window that let in the morning light. I took it immediately, paying the first and last month's rent with the emergency money I kept hidden from Mark.

Liam helped me go back to my old apartment to grab my computer, my work essentials, and a few bags of clothes. Mark wasn't there. A gaudy invitation for Brittany's gala was stuck to the fridge with a magnet.

As Liam carried my heavy desktop computer down the stairs, I felt a wave of relief so strong it almost buckled my knees. I was out. I was free.

Later that evening, sitting in my new, empty studio on a folding chair Liam had loaned me, I felt a sense of purpose I hadn't felt in years. I was starting over.

Just as I was plugging in my computer, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Mark.

"Heard you moved out. A little dramatic, don't you think? Anyway, Brittany's gala was a huge success. Made some killer contacts. You really missed out on seeing how real business gets done."

There was no apology. No concern. Just a dismissive, arrogant message that proved I had made the right decision.

I looked at the text, then deleted it without replying. My eyes drifted to the window of my new apartment. I couldn't see Liam's building from here.

A new thought came to me, a quiet promise to myself. I wasn't just going to survive. I was going to thrive. And I was going to do it on my own terms.

Liam had offered his help anytime. A warm feeling spread through my chest. I had a feeling I would be seeing him again very soon.