I found a covert note that my boyfriend's ex had left before they broke up, and after I showed her, I contacted her ex and it changed my life.

I swallowed with difficulty. Because yes. It was exactly that.

When I talked about my pets at Matt's apartment, she stiffened. "Rachel... he's used to become destructive when he's angry."

I didn't hesitate. I called my landlord in the minute.

The owner was sympathetic, especially when Teresa said that she was a lawyer and offered to accompany me. He agreed to let me break the lease, but I had to pay for the month of August.

I didn't mind. I would pay three times to end this story and put Matt out of harm. The owner told him that the apartment had to be empty for emergency maintenance all day.

Matt responded by text message: "It doesn't matter. I work until 6 a.m. ”

At noon, I came in and my stomach let go. Broken dishes were scattered on the floor. He had torn my clothes. And my domestic rats' cage was open.

I rushed, with my heart beating. "Oh my God."

But it was then that a movement caught my attention. Two little noses came out of a shoebox. I'm relieved. My beloved animals were safe and sound. I let slip a trembling breath that I had to sit down.

Teresa chopped myself up next to me. "Are you all right?" ”

"He knew," I whispered picking up one of my little guys. "He must have known that I intended to leave. That is a message. ”

Teresa clenched my shoulder. "That's exactly why we're here now, to get you out of here. You're stronger than you think, Rachel. ”

I acquiesced. "Yeah. Let's take my stuff and leave. ”

While we were packing our bags, Teresa smiled and said, "So you found my other notes? "

I blinked. "Other notes? ”

She smiled. "Oh yes. One under the vacuum cleaner, one in the toaster."

We checked. The note on the vacuum cleaner was still there. But the toaster had disappeared.

I laughed. "He cleaned the toaster, but not the rest of that damn apartment. "

That evening, I sat in my new apartment, my pets peat-located by my side. Teresa and I drank to the new start with lemonade and takeaways.

"You really saved me, you know," I told him.

She raised her glass. "No, you've saved yourself."