ah'

tely. I shaked my head twice to return to my right senses and the moment I to

had forgotten that the car had stop

er apologized, his eyes darting to the

eks, snapping me back to the present. I stepped out

over the fare and turned away before the driv

ckoning me towards the open front door. I followed his gesture towards the expo

ll smile as the guard helped me carr

proached the receptionist, a tall, immaculately dressed man with a friendly smile, I took a deep breath, attempting to put on a

er warm smile. The receptionist's smile was contagious, and I couldn'

d made it clear where I stood in his life: nowhere. His actions had left me feeling devalued and disrespected. Martin'

eptionist returned, her smile never w

uh

another warm smile. This time, Yet this time, the smile felt almost

make my way towards the elevator. As I walked, I tr

the conversation to come. "Hey mom." I uttered while I kept my phone 1 inch away from my ear. I knew If I

tement palpable even through the phone. My heart sank, and I inhaled deeply, steeling my

rd, she'd been the one to pick me up, dust me off, and urge me to stay strong. But now, a

That despite my best efforts, Richard had left me in the cold? That I

go well?" She ques

e of me. I tried to speak, to find the words to explain, but my throat felt like it was being clenched in an invisib

audible over the lump in my throat. "

d this way!" Mum's outraged words slammed into me like a freight train, compounding the guilt and shame

s. Tears streaked down my cheeks as I sank to the floor, cradling my head in my hands. I