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Tiana was lying her back looking a the ceiling. She turned to her side and looked at the digital clock, it read 7:02. Sighing she flipped onto her back and dug the heel the of her hands into her eyes. Anxiety won over exhaustion, making her unable to close her eyes even for a moment. She was ready to get up but the door to her room opened making her freeze.

"I know you're awake," Naveen slowly sat on the edge of her bed, his hands folded in his lap. He changed from his tux to a shirt and khakis.

Tiana slowly lifted herself up into a seated position. She drew her knees to her chest then waited.

"Tiana," He started then stopped. He went to start again. "Can you tell me how, or," He paused again.

"Naveen I'm sorry," She stopped when he held his hand up.

"Please just tell me why," He still did not look at her as he spoke.

Tiana looked at the blankets for a moment. At her chance to explain herself she froze.

"Tiana, I dont know how or wh-"

"Naveen, I just, I got fed up," Tiana sighed and swung her legs out from under the blankets and to the side of the bed next to Naveen.

"You got fed up," Naveen let a humorless breath.

"You were gone. It was one of your regular trips but," She stopped and shook her head. "It seemed like it was the longest trip and I was alone,"

"How did you meet him?"

"We met at a coffee shop. I was working on something and then there he was."

"I think I'm going to be sick," Naveen quickly got up from the bed.

"Naveen it didn't mean anything," Tiana said quickly, she knew that she was losing him and had to act fast.

"No, nothing? Rien? Then why did you hide it from me? Why did you let me go through this and, and, think that I, I was the one, I was." He ran out of breath. Running a hand through his hair he turned around and started to pace again.

"I swear it didn't, I stopped it before anything could happen." Tiana quickly explained, still sitting on the bed.

"Why?" He stopped and leaned on the bed post. "Why would you stop it? You were obviously getting away with it,"

"It didn't feel right and I couldn't, in good conscious, keep going I just, I just couldn't." Tiana suddenly felt very small under his gaze. She wrapped her arms around her waist and looked at her feet.

"When did he do that?" He nodded towards her.

"The day I ended it." She said in almost a whisper. "I asked him to the park, public place hopefully a big scene would not break out." She looked up so that they made eye contact. "In the park it didn't but I got home late that night and he was waiting for me. I got into the house, went to the kitchen and he was angry, so angry." Tiana looked back down, her hands were gripping the bed sheets. "He came at me with a knife and got me on my stomach by the door, I left my phone in the car so I couldn't call for help. I tried to run to the bedroom where we hid the spare phone but I tripped and fell to the ground. He grabbed me by the foot and dragged me back, I kicked him in the nose and tried to crawl away but he got me on the calf. And then," She stopped, suddenly feeling short of breath. "He just um, he put the blade to my throat, threatening to cut it, that I ruined his plan and that my husband ruined his family." Her eyes were starting to fill with tears. "He drew blood and suddenly I couldn't breathe. I just couldn't breathe," Her chest felt constricted.

Naveen was rooted to the spot as Tiana continued to talk.

"I kneed him and used as much of my weight to throw him off. After that I ran back to my car and grabbed my phone. I called Carl and he said someone was on the way." She paused and took in a shaky breath. "I dont know why, but I went back in and he was gone. So I told Carl to forget about it." Tiana made eye contact with him and swallowed. "Naveen I never wanted to hurt you."

Naveen pushed himself from the post and went over to Tiana. He kneeled in front of her and took her hands in his.

"I'm sorry that happened to you and I'm sorry that you went through that alone," He reached up and wiped a tear from her cheek. "Tiana you should have told me this sooner, then it wouldn't have come to this."

"I know, I know," She leaned down, gripping his hands tight. "I just didn't, I didn't," She leaned her forehead against his and closed her eyes. "I was ashamed. You were so faithful and I just, I threw that away."

"Ok," Naveen said after a minute of silence. He kissed her knuckles and lifted her chin. He looked like he was going to say something but thought better of it. Leaning in he kissed her forehead and told her to get dressed. Tiana nodded then waited until he was gone to move. Going to her dresser she grabbed her phone and dialed Rays number.

"Hey, Ray, I um wont be looking for any more apartments, I don't think Ill be in here after this is over,"

"Tiana, you two can still live in the same country, I mean it's pretty big and-"

"No, Ray. This is my choice." She said firmly although her eyes threatened to spill tears for what felt like the hundredth time that morning.

"Ok Tiana, its your choice," Ray agreed although he sounded unsure.

"Thank you, talk to you later," She hung up and put her phone down. Sighing she reached into her drawer and started to take out some clothes.