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I started toward the door.

Then stopped.

Turned around.

Avery and Heather were still standing there.

“Don’t call me.”

Both of their faces fell.

“Don’t text me. Don’t come to my house. Don’t send Mama. Don’t send nobody.”

Then I walked out.

The cold air hit me as soon as I stepped outside.

I got into my car and shut the door.

For a few seconds, I just sat there.

Hands on the steering wheel.

Breathing.

Then I unlocked my phone.

Twenty-three missed calls from Xavier.

I unblocked him.

His call came through almost immediately.

I answered.

Didn’t say hello.

“Sam—”

“Be at the house when I get there.”

Silence.

“Baby, listen⁠—”

“Xavier.”

He stopped.

I stared straight ahead.

“Be at the fucking house.”

Then I hung up.

I had left the kids at my parents’ house.

Didn’t even bother going to pick them up.