When I got back to the theater , I threw myself into work . It was the holiday rush , and the place was packed with moviegoers . The whole theater was overwhelmed , and even I had to step in as a greeter . Thankfully , the New Year season passed quickly . One afternoon , I received a call from Catherine again . Somehow , Nathaniel had found out I was working at the theater . He was already on his way over . I knew why she was calling , but I didn't care . After exchanging shifts with my colleague and making sure everything was covered , I left the theater and went back to my little rented room . As soon as I stepped out of the building , I saw Nathaniel running toward me . Of course , things didn't work out again this time . But once he knew where I worked , he started showing up every week , trying to catch me off guard . Luckily , Catherine would warn me in advance every time , and I managed to slip past him . Until one day , after countless attempts , he finally planted himself right at the box office doors , blocking the only way in and out . I holed up in the theater office with a blank face , not even stepping out for dinner . My colleague had to bring it to me instead . By late night , the theater was deserted except for the overnight staff . Nathaniel's whole body gave out , and he collapsed to the ground with a hoarse , desperate roar . " Bella , get out here ! I know you're in there ! " If you don't come out this time , I'm not leaving ! " If he wouldn't leave , then there were ways to make him . I had a colleague call security , who helped drag him away . After making sure he was gone , I snuck out the back door . To get away from his endless stalking , I put in for a transfer the very next day . A new theater had just opened in another city and was short - staffed , so they sent me there . For the next three years , I heard nothing from either Nathaniel or Catherine . I would send my mother a letter every now and then , just to let her know I was safe . I never mentioned where I was or what I was doing , as I found it too risky . It wasn't until the fourth New Year that I came home in secret . This time , my mother was sitting all alone , but the table was still set with three places . That was when I found out Catherine had divorced Nathaniel . He had beaten her so badly she was left crippled and unstable, living in a mental hospital , while he had gone to prison for assault . They said he wouldn't be out for at least ten years . It all started when he found out Catherine had been tipping me off every time . Enraged , he'd grabbed a stick and beat her mercilessly . After I learned what happened , I went to see Catherine the next day . She sat on the bed , flailing her arms . " This time , I'm the real winner ! " I could only shake my head . I paid her medical fees in full , then took my mother with me to the city where I worked . I'd let everything in the past go , as the days ahead were still long .