Later that evening, Charlie's father, Cal, arrived at our apartment to pick him up. Part of the custody agreement said he was able to take Charlie for extended breaks during the school year. Charlie's school would let out Monday for February break, and starting today, for the next two weeks, I'd have the apartment to myself. As much of a handful as my darling son could be, when we were apart, it felt like a piece of me was missing. This would be the first time in our lives Charlie would be so far away from me. Candlebrook was three hours away. He might as well be a whole world away.

Once I heard the knock at the front door, my stomach dropped. I never looked forward to seeing my ex-husband, but the smug look on his face when I opened the door stirred my rage.

“Cal,” I said, not trying to hide my distaste.

"Amelia."

I stood in the doorway and called to Charlie. "Your father's here."

"Coming!" Charlie replied excitedly. I knew I should be happy he'd have the opportunity to spend time with his father, but did he have to sound so pleased about it? Ugh.

"So, are you going to let me in?" Cal asked.

"Sure.” I stepped aside and let him come in.

I crossed my arms over my chest and secretly wished I hadn't thrown on yoga pants and a ratty college tee shirt as soon as I'd gotten home.

"Did you get the invitation?"

"You mean the invitation to your wedding?"

"Uh, yeah."

"I did."

"Are you going to come?" He asked carefully.

"I'm not sure yet. I'll have to check my work schedule."

Cal nodded and rolled his eyes. "I see things haven’t changed much. Charlie, c'mon kid. We have a long drive back!"

Charlie cruised down the hallway with his backpack resting firmly on his shoulders. "Ready, Dad!"

I pulled my son into a deep bear hug and squeezed him until he cried out. "Hun fun, okay?"

"Duh, Mom. Dad and I always have fun."

"You can Facetime me anytime. Day or night. I'll make sure to have my phone on me. And call me if you need anything."

"Mellie, it's just two weeks," Cal muttered.

I shot him a scathing glance. I hated that nickname, and he knew it. "I know how long he will be gone, Cal."

"Okay, guys," Charlie interrupted. "I love you, Mom. I'll make sure to keep in touch."

I kissed him on the forehead and gave him one last hug. "I love you, sweetheart."

"Love you too!"

And, just like that, my baby was off to Candlebrook. I leaned against the door and slid down to the floor. I missed him already. What would I do for two whole weeks without him? After a few minutes sulking in my pity party, I pulled myself up and headed toward the wine rack. Maybe a cold glass of Pinot Grigio would lighten my mood. It was going to be a long two weeks without my buddy.

A few attorneys from work invited me out tonight, but I politely declined. With Charlie gone, I wanted to spend a little more time on a few more potential client pitches.

By eleven o'clock, I'd hit a snag in my research as I realized I left an important file on my desk. I groaned and cursed myself. Sure, I could stop working and go to bed; the file and research would be waiting for me on Monday. Not to mention, my proposal wasn’t due for another week, but I loved having my work completed ahead of time.

I paced the apartment, biting my nails to the quick. What to do, what to do?

Groaning, I shuffled to the kitchen and retrieved my purse and my keys. I wobbled to the door as the wine hit me all at once. There was no way I could drive like this, which also meant I shouldn’t be working with a buzz, either.

Regardless, I ordered a Lyft to take me to work.

I grabbed my coat, ignoring my less-than-casual ensemble, and leaped down the apartment building stairs to the lobby. The building, erected in the 1920s, glowed with historic architecture. There's no way I would have been able to afford something like this at my old firm, but with my new position came a new, much larger salary.

I saw a white Escape parked out front, so I waved to my doorman as I jogged outside. My driver stayed quiet for the ride, which I felt eternally grateful for. I wasn't much of a talker, and I was also tipsy. Didn't want to make a fool of myself in front of a stranger. Once we arrived at my office building, I thanked him and wished him a good night.

With my ID badge in hand, I unlocked my firm's front doors and shivered as they clicked open. While some lights stayed on overnight, the building stood mostly in darkness. I wasn't a fan of horror movies, and the scene mirrored a slasher film. I dashed up the stairs, too frightened to take the elevator, and thanked God my office was only on the third floor. Several beads of sweat collected on my forehead and dribbled down my back. I flung my office door open and swished my hand in front of the motion-activated light. Once the fluorescent lights broke through the darkness, I squinted and willed my eyes to search for the file I needed.

There you are!

I grabbed the file and gazed outside my office windows to admire the gorgeous cityscape, brilliantly gleaming under the night sky. I smiled and put my hand to the glass, grateful I took this position in such a wonderful city.

A few dings interrupted my thoughts, and I looked down at my phone. I must have put my phone on silent by accident. I had a voicemail and missed a text from Charlie. Without reading the message or listening to the voicemail, I called him back right away.

"Hi, this is C-Dog. Leave a message, playa!"

I rolled my eyes and made a mental note to ask Cal what he was letting Charlie watch on television. I tried one more time, but he still didn't answer. I checked his text to me which read, “Goin to da movies. Bye!"

I missed my son more than anything, but now I’d have to wait until tomorrow to talk to him. Life can be lonely when you're leaning on just one person for balance. Good thing I had plenty of work to do to keep myself busy and distracted.

I'd temporarily forgotten my fear of whatever may lurk in the darkness of the building as I moped down the stairs to the foyer and out into the night. I ordered another Lyft, and the app promised a driver would arrive in less than five minutes, but after ten passed, and no one showed up, annoyance seeped in.

I noticed a car parked a block away with its flashers blinking rapidly. Maybe the driver missed the address? I huffed and puffed like the big bad wolf as I trudged toward the car. Then, a group of rowdy twenty-somethings stumbled into the SUV I’d assumed was my ride. Guess not.

My eager footsteps echoed down the street as dozens of other drunk people walked in droves to the bars in the party district. I passed an alleyway where a stray kitten pawed against the restaurant door nearly hidden in the dark passageway. I tiptoed toward the tiny feline. The breeze chilled me to my core, and an eerie feeling flooded my consciousness as I approached the cat.

Something didn't feel right. I peeked over my shoulder and saw a man wearing all black, standing in the entrance of the alley. I hadn't noticed him at first. His head hung low, and he wore a black cap pulled right to his eyes. My heart thudded in my chest, and I wished I’d brought my pepper spray with me. Or that I hadn’t gone down a dark alley on a Friday night by myself.

The man strode closer to me, his echoed footsteps bouncing off the buildings on either side of us. Despite the chill in the air, sweat dripped down the small of my back. The buzz from the wine vanished, replaced with sheer terror. I heard the man clear his throat as his stale body odor permeated the air.

"Hi, pretty lady." He grinned and grabbed my wrists.

His breath reeked like he'd eaten a dead rodent and rinsed his mouth with sour milk.

"Get your hands off of me," I howled as I tried to pull away. He gripped my forearms firmly and didn't budge an inch.

"I'm an attorney. I will take you down," I threatened more darkly. My body screamed with panic; my mind raced. Would this man try to kill me? Would he hurt me?

"Oh, a fancy lawyer, huh? Must mean you have more money on ya?"

Instinct took over, and I spat in his face. His eyes narrowed. He took his free hand and wiped the spit off his cheek. "I wasn't planning on hurtin' ya, but you may have changed my mind, bitch."

He cocked his arm back and raised his fist. I squeezed my eyes shut as I prepared for the inevitable blow I was about to endure.

But it never came.

I opened my eyes and saw the man's cocked fist frozen in mid-air. Another man behind him grabbed his arm and held it tightly.

"Let. Her. Go."

My attacker did as he was told, but only to face the other man squarely in the eye. My attacker snickered as he looked him up and down. "What are you going to do, huh?"

"This," the man said and punched my attacker in the solar plexus, which caused him to grasp at his chest and crumble to the ground.

I gasped, taking a heaping breath of fresh air. I didn't realize I'd been holding my breath until now.

I looked up and gazed into the eyes of the man who'd saved me.

It was William.