#shelbys

Word got around fast in Birmingham, especially if it had anything to do with the Peaky Blinders. I couldn't lie and say that I was surprised when I had heard some women walking past talking about their nights with Thomas because a part of me had known. I was ashamed to admit that I had stayed with the man I knew was not faithful to me because I was scared of what life would be like afterwards, but I was no longer afraid.

I knew Tommy would be home anytime soon, so I hoped to get everything packed before he arrived and made me change my mind. The plan was simple, I told him what I knew, and then I would leave after breaking up with him. I knew that if I stayed for too long, he would be able to convince me to stay.

My bags were packed as I sat in the living room, waiting for any sign of Tommy's arrival. To say that I was nervous was an understatement. I didn't know how he would react or if he would even react to this.

The front door was unlocked, and Tommy walked in. He was silent as he walked past me, opting to light a cigarette and sit on the couch beside me.

After a few minutes of the awkward silence, Tommy finally spoke up. "Why've you got your bags packed?" He spoke up as he exhaled the smoke.

I scoffed, my anger slowly taking over. "You're cheating on me," I announced. "You've been cheating on me the entire time."

Tommy let out a sigh. "Where'd you hear that?" He wasn't in the slightest bit fazed by my accusation, which made my blood boil.

"Where haven't I heard it, Thomas." The smell of cigarettes filled the room. "Everyone talks about it."

"You need to stop listening to what those women say. Nothing but crazy they are."

"Those women aren't crazy, though, are they, Thomas. Why would they talk about that stuff while simply going for a walk? They weren't telling me anything. I heard it." Thomas puts out his cigarette and stands up.

"You know how people are. They want to spread news to keep others entertained. It's nothing but lies-"

"But it's not lies, though. You are lying to me right now." I could feel the tears begin to well as I attempted to hold myself together.

"You're right," Thomas admitted. "They're right." My heart practically shattered hearing those words. Although I knew, it hurt to listen to him say it.

"Was it anyone in particular? Or just any girl that presented herself to you?" I whispered.

"Whoever would take the money." He replied.

"Oh wow. You were so bored of me that you had to pay people to entertain you." At this point, now I was standing up too.

"I wasn't bored-"

"I've heard enough, Thomas. I wasn't good enough, they won't be, and no one ever will. You're just selfish." With that being said, I grabbed my bags and left. Leaving Thomas to stand in the middle of the living room, staring at the place I once sat at.

I headed to the train station, where I caught the next train out of Birmingham, leaving everything that was once home behind. No goodbyes were needed. No goodbyes were deserved.