5 The Depths of a Scumbag

As Claire walked across the threshold, exiting the café, a large hand grabbed her arm and pulled her back through the doorway.

"Wait hold on, Claire. I know you're upset but think about how good our life will be once this works." Derek said, pulling Claire closer to his body, standing over her.

Claire twisted quickly and pulled herself away from Derek. "Don't. Touch. Me." Claire retaliated. "Don't look at me, don't talk to me, and absolutely do NOT touch me." Claire finished as she stormed off.

Derek's abrupt actions had attracted the attention of the other people in the café. With their eyes on him, he hesitated before trying to reach out to Claire again.

During his hesitation, Claire was able to make her way far down the block from the café. Seeing how far away Claire got, Derek left the café grumbling in embarrassment.

Once Claire returned to the apartment, the full weight of her emotions hit her. Shaking with anger, Claire began to evaluate everything that occurred during her relationship with Derek.

"I can't believe I never saw fully for who he was before. Everything he's told me so far has probably been a lie! How did I trust him? I'm so ashamed that I ever loved him."  Claire cried out in frustration.

"I want nothing else to do with him, but I have no idea where I should go. Nor do I know what to do now. Maybe I can talk to Emma about everything."

Claire called Emma to give her a full run down of the situation, fully explaining what happened yesterday and that morning at the café.

"And he didn't even apologize? What an inconsiderate, self-absorbed piece of shit!" Emma shouted in shock. "I hate to admit this, but Selena was right for not liking him. I know she came across unsupportive at times, but she was onto something. What are you going to do with your stuff? You can stay with us so that you don't have to live in that run-down apartment alone, but we don't have any room for the things you have in storage."  she said gently.

"I have no idea. I think I'm going to take you up on your offer to stay with you. I really don't want to be alone here. I can figure out all the other stuff once I'm able to be free of reminders of Derek." Claire responded, exasperatedly.

"Ok. I'll tell John to go and pick you up. He's off today, so he should be there soon."

"Thank you so much, Emma. I really hate to intrude, but you have no idea how much this means to me right now."

"No worries, girl. It's what any best friend would do. Selena should be off work later this afternoon, so we can fill her in on everything after you get here. She'll have some great ideas for next steps."

"Emma, you're the best. I'll see you soon."

"See you." Emma said as she hung up the phone.

A burst of warmth spread from Claire's heart. Other than the phone call with Emma and Selena last night, this was the best conversation Claire had in the last 24 hours.

'I don't know what I would do without my friends' Claire thought to herself.

Looking around the living room, Claire began to collect all of her things and pack them back up. She made sure to grab the folder with the storage unit information, and reluctantly, placed Eugene's card in the folder as well.

'I hope I never have to call him, but in case I do, I'd rather speak to Eugene than Derek.' She thought as she put the folder into her suitcase.

After she finished packing her bags and took a seat on the couch, an unbearable silence filled the room. Unable to keep herself from spiraling, Claire's thoughts once again wandered to memories of things she went through with Derek. This time, however, her brain took her back to several years in the past.

Four years ago, in the first year of their relationship, Derek had been a pillar in Claire's life. She had recently lost several family members at once in a tragic accident. She was away at college when the accident occurred, and Derek was the only person she could rely on at the time. Emma and Selena were at different schools in different states, and there was no one else available in Claire's circle.

With the loss of her family, Claire also lost her home, her support system, and part of her identity. The grief from the accident affected Claire's grades negatively, and she had to withdraw from the university. Derek was the only person who stayed with her and supported her decision not to continue education. He encouraged her when she felt alone and also opened up his home to her.

At that time his dreams and visions of the future were the few things that kept Claire going. She was grateful that he saw a future of not only their lives together but also saw a future of prosperity. He never forced her to work or put pressure on her in that way.

When she first received her inheritance, he also encouraged her to invest it in their future. However, as that memory crossed her mind, Claire's face soured, and she winced in pain.

'Ughh Derek's so called "investing in our future" was just him taking my money for his own! I was investing in him, not us. He was really using me this whole time.' With that realization, absolute devastation wrought through Claire's entire being.

'He used me.' Claire thought once again as a singular tear fell from her eye.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Loud bangs rang out from the door of the apartment. Shaken from her stupor, Claire absentmindedly answered the door. Outside stood, John, Emma's happy-go-lucky sweetheart of a husband. Though he was unaware of the full extent of the situation, he understood that something was wrong with Claire.

"Hello Claire, I'm here to bring you home!" John said with a warm smile.