a concern I had once desperately craved. He never looked at me like that. Not once. Not even in our most intimate moments. His touch with m

nding, dominant, thrilling sometimes, but never tender. I was always the strong one, the one who could take it, the one who didn't

by. "Always so delicate. It's a miracle she survived that ac

ear they're practically inseparable. He even mo

ly staying in. The irony was a bitter laugh in my thr

me. "And now, for a little fun! Kristofer, our guest of honor, will c

Maybe, just maybe, he would choose something for me

r, ever so sweetly, expressed her love for the beach, citing h

Elenor giggled about loving modern pop, how it

s desires, Kristofer followed without hesitation. He never even glanced at me. He never consider

my solace was in complex classical symphonies, not the mindless beat of pop. He didn't know me at al

nvenient distraction. My heart felt hollowed out, a raw, bleeding cavity. All the times I'd tried to share my

oice booming. "A choice between two photos. Kristofer

andscape, a vibrant sunset over a tranquil lake. On the other, a black

s was it. The ultimate choice. A part of me, the pathetic, hopeful part, still wished for a miracle. Mayb

ent, making my stomach churn with a sickening blend of hope and dread. My gaze was fixe

nting decisively at the black and white portrait. "Eleno

of joy. She launched herself at Kristofer, embracing him tightly. He held

blow. There was no more hope. No more doubt. Just

ywhere but here. I found a deserted hallway, my legs shaking, my vision blurred by unshed tears. I stumbled into the ladies' room, locking myself in a sta

eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. No. Not like this. I would not let them see me broken. I splashed cold water on my face, fo

n my chest. The music was still pounding, the laughter still echoing. I made my

Didn't think I'd see you again." It was the same drunk man from the park b

said, my voice l

Just a little dance," he s

ofer, for anyone. I saw him, across the room, his back to me, still with Ele

! My ankle! I think I twisted it!" Sh

arm. He scooped her up, his gaze never once straying

't even look my way. Not even a glance. I was being harassed

d out, a desperate p

rowded room. His eyes were cold, assessing. The

nocent eyes. "Oh, Adah, are you in trouble? Should Kristo

hen back to Elenor. He tightened his grip on her, hi

publicly, unequivocally. The last thread of my love for him snapped. It

n, my voice laced with a fury that startled even myself. I didn't wait for him to react. I brought my

ooked down at my hand. My nails had broken, digging into my palm, leaving crescent

irk playing on her lips. "My, my, Adah. Such a temp

icker of something unreadable there. Bu

silence that had fallen around us. "Or would you like to remind everyone how you got that

icker of genuine fear. "How dare you!" sh

the woman who claims your love, your protection. Tell me how you let h

n her cheeks. "He loves me, Adah! He always

t vestiges of my hope. Distraction. Fling. She was

ly out of control, swerved onto the sidewalk, heading straight for the cluste

with his body, pushing her behind him, away from the path of the oncomi

t for me. I saw Kristofer's back, his broad shoulders, protecting her. Never

ng pain ripped through me, and I was thrown through the air, my head hitting something hard. Darkness swallowed me whole. The