{"id":12072,"date":"2025-09-10T13:44:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T13:44:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=12072"},"modified":"2025-09-10T13:44:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T13:44:49","slug":"12072","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=12072","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

I counted to sixty, a slow, deliberate measure of my newfound freedom. Then, I walked towards the skeletal remains of the gas station where a black Ford truck was concealed in the deepening shadows.<\/p>\n

Marcus stepped out, an umbrella held aloft in one hand and a thermos in the other. \u201cDid you get everything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery last word.\u201d I showed him my phone, stopping the recording. \u201cHe actually told me to \u2018remember my place.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Marcus shook his head, his expression a mixture of anger and sorrow. \u201cThree years of watching him control you was bad enough. But this\u2026\u201d he gestured to the empty highway, \u201c\u2026this is criminal. Rebecca is going to have a field day.\u201d<\/p>\n

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I counted to sixty, a slow, deliberate measure of my newfound freedom. Then, I walked towards the skeletal remains of the gas station where a black Ford truck was concealed in the deepening shadows. Marcus stepped out, an umbrella held aloft in one hand and a thermos in the other. \u201cDid you get everything?\u201d \u201cEvery…<\/p>\n

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