Floretta had managed to get through her workday without giving away what a mess she was inside. Somewhere in her shared home with Seth was her ex Corey. He had access to everything inside their walls. He had been through their private things. He had been there right under their noses, and they had no idea.
"I'll see you next week," she said.
She got out in her car and drove home. She had told Seth that she would stay with Charlotte and Andrade but she never intended on going there. From the moment she realized it was Corey creeping around their house at night, she knew there were only two solutions. She could run again, or she could fight him. She was tired of running. She had run years ago and spent so long hiding from him that she nearly forgot who she was.
Seth had been the first person she let in again, and she had allowed herself to find happiness again. She should have known Corey would find her eventually and make his way back into her life. The pictures on her phone was a clear message from Corey. Leave Seth or Corey would get rid of him. That was why it was so important to get Seth out of the house today and make sure he went on the over night work trip. So that Corey wouldn't get to Seth tonight. What Seth might end up finding tomorrow when he came home, only time would tell.
She took a deep breath and walked inside the home. It seemed eerily quiet but she could feel Corey inside the walls. He was safely hidden away in the small closet, waiting for tonight where he knew she would be alone. He had been there long enough to hear them talk about this work trip.
She went on with her day like any other day. She got some laundry done and drove out to buy a pizza. She couldn't concentrate on cooking but she needed food to be ready for tonight. When Seth called to say goodnight, she went outside to pick up the call so Corey wouldn't hear something was off.
"Yes, I'm here. They both fell asleep to a movie we were watching so I'm creeping around outside so I won't wake them up," she said. "I love you too. I'll see you tomorrow."
She hung up and took another deep breath.
"Game on," she whispered.
She walked inside and changed to her pajamas. She brushed her teeth and went to the kitchen to drink some water. She picked up the same kitchen knife that Corey had used for the pictures last night. She walked to the bedroom, turned off the light, and laid down while hiding the knife under the covers. And then she waited.
Hours passed where she lied awake and just stared out in the darkness. She didn't dare close her eyes out of fear of falling asleep. She heard a sound of the wall closet opening, and she quickly closed her eyes to pretend she was sleeping. He made his way down as quietly as he could. She could feel him moving over to the bed and staring at her.
"You're all alone tonight, Floretta," he whispered. "All alone and all mine. Time for you to know your rightful place again."
It was hard not to scream or give away that she was awake and hearing him. She needed him close enough before making a move. She felt him getting closer and a shadow fell across her face as he leaned over her. He grabbed the covers and slowly started pulling it off her. She suddenly opened her eyes and stared at him. His facial expression of amusement turned to surprise and then to pain when she planted the knife into his throat. He stumbled backwards and she jumped up. He locked eyes with her again and then grabbed the knife and pulled it out. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Instead blood gushed out of him from the stab wound.
"Bad mistake. You're gonna bleed out fast," she said. "But let me say those words I know you were about to say. You bitch!"
He sank to his knees, pleading with his eyes for her to help him. She had no help to give. He lost the right to anything from her years ago when he first laid his hands on her.
"You bitch!" She repeated louder.
He slowly fell to the side, bleeding out on the wooden floor while still looking up at her and trying to hang on to life.
"You bitch!" She screamed.
He drew his last breath. His eyes remained open and staring at her. She sat down on the bed up against the wall, pulled the covers up, and wrapped her arms around her legs. She shut down for the night.