e. I had told myself I would wait until tomorrow, give myself time to think, but time wasn't waitin

sleep. I couldn't sit still. The fear of tomorrow swallowed me whol

d bought years ago on clearance. I brushed my hair until it shone, added a little lip gloss,

prayed. I prayed for strength, for courage, for

y without a second thought? Worse-what if the stor

s was my only chance? What if saying yes t

ering, "Please, God. Do

me in the polished doors, trembling just like I was inside. The lights of the city glowed behind me,

le floors shone under golden lights. Walls of glass stretched high above me. The air smelled clea

small.

ipped, her eyes cool as she looked me over. I knew I didn't

oice shaking. I slid the card across the d

curity, and throw me out. But instead, she press

She's here? Did that mean

stepped inside, my knees weak, my chest tight. As the doors closed, I saw my reflecti

ing above me. 12... 15... 20... My pulse matched each

the doors

ty stretched out like glittering stars. A long table gleamed in the center, d

en I s

n Bla

his presence filling the entire room. His dark hair was sleek, not a strand out of place. But

e turned

too small, too weak. The truth of him was worse-stron

at dry, but I forced m

e smallest hint of a sm

mooth but edged with steel

came fast and hot, slipping down my cheeks. I tried to swa

ll never enough. My hands ache, my body hurts, my stomach is empty most nights, and yet... I'm still losing." My voice cracked, trembling under the weight of it. "No

ed out of me,

e six days before he throws me out. Six days before I lose the only plac

ars kept falling. Shame burned

oke off, strangled by anger and despair. I dropped my head, shaking. "I never wanted this. I never wanted to beg anyone. But

he room when I s

shook, clutching my bag until my nails dug into the fabric. My face wa

. he didn't

ike he could see every piece of me I tried to hide. His silence was heavy,

y pulse race faster. The corner of his mouth curved-not quite a

ll if it meant sa