HIS LOVE HEALS ME(18+)

PTE

wouldn't leave me alone. Raymond. His name was a whisper that echoed in every corner of my mind, refusing to fade

f my hand. The way he smiled-God, that smile-it used to make everything else disappear. Now it was a gh

up in my eyes, blurring my vision. My chest tightened as the pain clawed its w

it as if that could muffle the sound, but it only made the ache worse. Before long, I

the knock on the do

ce before I saw her. She and Sophie stood in t

pped, not bothering to wi

ward. "We heard yo

" I cut her off, sitting up abruptl

with Sophie. "Ava, we

way they were looking at me like I was some frag

resser and stormed out of the room, not bothering to look back. I needed air. I

ripping the steering wheel, trying to catch my breath. But no matter how much I trie

streets, hoping the movement would distract me. It didn't. I wasn't sure

ut something in me relen

ha

nd I are at this lounge. It's quiet. We thought maybe yo

thing I wanted was to be around people, but the t

ood for you to get out. N

I caved. "Fine. I'll stop b

n," Sophie said, soun

ntrast to the cold emptiness that clung to me. I s

he stool beside them. The music was soft, the kin

ght, too forced. She handed me a drink, an

ere arriving, laughter and chatter filling the air. My grip tightened on

ng a glance with Mia. "Just... a few m

spicion creeping in. "You cou

y. "It's not a party, Ava. Jus

this. Something wasn't right, and I could feel it. My patience

ough. The walls were closing in on me again, the noise,

" I muttered, sta

someone, my drink sloshing out of my g

o brush the liquid off his jacket. My hands

he grip was strong but gentle. My breath caught in my throat as I felt m

eep voice said,

ay. My eyes traveled up slowly, from the hand holdi

ym

My chest tightened, and for a moment, I forgot how to brea

a," he said, his voic

. I stood there, weak and helpless, unable to lo