In the gritty streets of Chicago, Katie finds herself at a crossroads, torn between her tumultuous past and an uncertain future. Escaping an abusive relationship, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, determined to carve out a new path for her...
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The low hum of the coffee machine is the only sound in the otherwise quiet apartment. I stand in the kitchen, hands wrapped around a warm mug of coffee, staring blankly out the window. The early morning sun casts a soft glow over the city, a moment of peace that I desperately cling to before the chaos of the day begins. Antonio is still asleep upstairs, and Lucas is tucked in bed, his soft snores drifting down the hall. It's these quiet moments that I treasure, when the world feels still and the weight of everything hasn't yet settled onto my shoulders.
But the peace is fragile. I can feel it cracking at the edges, the tension building, creeping into the corners of my mind. And when my phone buzzes on the kitchen counter, the crack widens.
Voight:Urgent case. Briefing in an hour.
A knot forms in my stomach as I read the message, the coffee suddenly tasting bitter on my tongue. I set the mug down, rubbing my hands over my face.
I head upstairs, the familiar creak of the wooden steps grounding me for a moment. I push open the bedroom door to find Antonio still sprawled out on the bed, one arm draped lazily across the pillows, his breathing steady and even. For a moment, I let myself pause, watching him, feeling a small pang of guilt for waking him up. But the message from Voight presses on my mind.
"Antonio," I say softly, giving his shoulder a gentle shake. His eyes flutter open, his brow furrowing as he blinks the sleep away.
"Hm? What time is it?" His voice is thick with sleep.
"Voight texted," I say quietly. "We've got a briefing in an hour. I need to get Lucas ready, and I need to drop him off at my mom's."
He nods, sitting up and running a hand through his tousled hair. "You okay?" he asks, his voice soft but laced with concern.
"I'm fine babe, I'll meet you at the district." I reply, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before going to get my son ready.
After getting Lucas dressed and fed, I drive us to my mom's house, the city streets blurred by the thoughts swirling in my head. Lucas chatters beside me, his excitement palpable as he talks about his plans for the day with Nana. His innocence is a stark contrast to the darkness that hovers over me, and I cling to his light, knowing how much he needs it—and how much I need it.
When we arrive, my mom greets us at the door with a warm smile, her hair pulled back in a loose bun, her favorite floral apron tied around her waist. She pulls Lucas into a tight hug, her eyes crinkling with joy as she kisses the top of his head.
"There's my little man," she says, ruffling his hair. "We're going to have a fun day today, aren't we?"
Lucas grins, his excitement bubbling over. "We're gonna build a fort!"
I smile, watching the two of them together. But then my mom turns to me, her smile still warm and comforting.
"Don't you worry Katie, sweetheart, I'll get him to school and he'll have a lovely day." She says to me and my brow furrows in confusion. I try not to let the surprise show on my face as I smile gently.
