e stood before the mirror in her entryway and shed the

nging neatly among the others, she hesitated for a b

marks of the past few days-one stroke after anot

n, and drew another firm line across

Countdow

as one step cl

omplete, she picked up her bag

had barely stepped inside when a sudden

ike a stone dropped into still water

up and follo

nce, surrounded by a dense cr

scarcely any room to move, the spectacle resembling less a profes

smile that did not falter in the slightest, her composure flawless do

ces carrying clearly in the crowded space, brimming w

g breakthroughs in new treatments for chronic illnesses. She's

lid into early next year. And she's stunning

from a while back? The narrative's completely flipped. They're saying Ms. Hill had a sudden medical emergency, and Mr. K

t's what real

ions followed, spreading

entire scene strangely absurd

ess forward, and Rose was bumped more than once by those pa

ng, someone shoved

nearly losin

exact moment and closed

ound herself caught

skin, and for two fleeting seconds she s

's voice carried

tha offered a faint smile, her gaze lingering on Ro

over

instant, R

traight through the crowd toward Samantha, leaving Rose standing alone

stood exactly what

in and unmistakable, stag

ubdued but sharp enough that every word

rabbed her hand and she

. Doesn't she see who's standing next to Mr.

are always after

istening as the whispers drifted

ved into the faintest hint of a smile, o

aid n

th people who preferred a pretty

emain there and listen to strangers romanticize

w steps when a sharp sc

Somebod

ion snapped b

ng a little girl, no more

pale, her body limp, consci

ing in her chest, Rose hurried over

e girl's eyelid when someone sh

e floor, her back striking hard as a

et Samantha's dis

k!" Samantha's voice rose sha

in her tone immediat

et Samantha ha

ack, Rose forced herself into a sitting position and watched coldly as Sama

efly toward Rose, taking in the direction where she had f

d see

ly did

f to her feet, the dull a

back to Samanth

second, her express

nued pressing down on her chest, her technique flawed in e

s cont

ould be in

fore Rose was already moving, he

them, seized Samantha's wrist, a

to

, caught off guard, her face flushing with ang

rough the noise, sh

killin