My mind went blank. I fumbled for my phone and called him, but all I got was the cold, automated voice: "We're sorry, the number you are trying to reach is currently on another call..."
The drizzle kept falling, soft and relentless. My clothes were soaked through, and the cold cut into every inch of my skin like a blade.
I called Leo ten times. Every single call was rejected.
I tried texting him. He'd blocked me.
There was no point calling again. I understood that now.
Not unless I agreed to hand over that seventeen thousand dollars to his sister.
But why should I? I'd earned that money myself, every last cent. Why should I just give it away to her?
I hugged my knees on the steps outside the rest stop and sobbed.
People walking by stared at me with all kinds of looks, but I didn't care. I was too deep in my own misery to notice.
I didn't know how long I cried. It wasn't until my legs had gone completely numb from the cold that I stood up like a machine and made one final call.
Ten minutes later, the highway patrol arrived.
They helped me into the cruiser first, wrapped a warm blanket around my shoulders, and handed me a cup of hot water.