e Mor

of my senses blurring. But then, a sharp, metallic taste filled my mouth. A hand roughly clamped over my nose and mouth, forcing som

roat burned, and my head throbbed. I blinked, trying to focus on the blurry figures hoveri

weariness, leaned over my bed. "Blaire," he said, his

. "You almost didn't make it, Blaire. We had to pum

. "They... they lied to me," I rasped, the words

ly said, his voice laced with an exhaustion I recognized in myself. "But you can't keep doing

one was. This was the fourth tim

York skyline mocking my despair. I' d blamed myself then, for his 'imprisonment,' for our family' s 'ruin.' I wa

oo much. I slit my wrists, watching the crimson bloom on my pale skin. But then I pictured the landlord finding my body, the evictio

ss being doxed. Swallowing a handful of sleeping pills, I hoped for a permanent escape. But the universe, o

e discharged, I'll make sure you won't be getting any more prescrip

.. have you ever met a man who looks like me? My

ince I started treating you. I'm sorry." He paused. "It was a young

This time, I wouldn't let them win. I ripped the IV from my arm, a shar

to me. She turned, and a cold dread coiled in my stomach. It was Kecia. Her eyes,

sneered, her voice low enough so only I could hear. "Ty

emotion. "When exactly did yo

on asked me to keep an eye on you while he's... away. You know, make sure you don't do anyt

ancing back at me. "Next time, try to be a bit more discreet. The hospital bills ar

ked out, past the nurses' station, past the pitying glances, and onto the street. The bi

paint on the wall, the word "WHORE" that had haunted me for weeks, was scrubbed c

was gone. The overturned furniture was righted. But then, my eyes landed on the window. Behind the tattered curtain, a tiny, almost invisib

o help me, but to erase the proof of his monstrous g

e that held her ashes, were gone. The torn, framed photo of my parents and Ashton, a relic from a life now dead, was nowhere

room, came rushing back. I was a pathetic mess, sprawled on the cold ti

that would leave a trace for Ashton to find. She wante

sank to the floor, my legs giving out. The cold tiles pressed against my skin, mirroring the