He turned and left, as if even looking at me was bad luck. As soon as the door closed, I wiped away my tears and pulled the suitcase out from under the bed.
I stuffed the suitcase with old clothes and cheap toiletries, then pushed it, ready to leave at once.
Scott was on the sofa video-chatting with Barbara, speaking in a tone I hadn’t heard in years. When he saw me, he stood and walked over. “Wait. Open it. Let me check, don’t take anything you shouldn’t.”
My heart leapt into my throat. I even wondered if I should knock him out and run. But when Scott saw the clothes, he only curled his lip in disdain.
“You’re taking this trash? Aren’t you going to check again? Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance later.”
I gave a pitiful smile. “No need. Everything here is filthy.”
Scott’s face darkened. “Get out!”
I pushed my heavy suitcase out of the place I once called home. Once outside the complex, I hailed a taxi and went straight to a five-star hotel downtown.