ment much. It felt safer here, hidden away, even if

nlight slowly faded from the room, but that silence was a lie. Inside me, everything was loud. The

aching out. No one came knocking. Not even my friends. I couldn't bring

m not the person

me worse, feeding the guilt alre

too tired to let them fall. Instead, I focused on quieting my mind, trying to push away the noise. I let

shb

e always wore. Even as a child, I understood why she kept us hidden, to protect me from my

e'd whisper while running her fingers through my hair. "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." She'd tell me in

es

ered outside, distant, as if they belonged to another world. I hadn't stepped out in quite some time, only leaving my flat

. I didn't know where I was heading; I just needed to breathe. The streets bustled with life,

ago. It was a spot I rarely visited, but now, in the solitude, it felt like the only haven. The air was refreshin

ling oak tree. Here, under the stars, I could finally e

am

adored by millions. But I wasn't just Jazlyn Gabby, either, hidden and burdened

nly, a chill ran down my spine, and I pulled my jacket tighter around myself, finding comfort in its warmth. Those words felt different n

live up to the world's expectations or carry the weight of my family's sins. Hopefully, in the

eeling a tiny spark of r

n my terms, starting afresh and carefully rebuilding who I wa

afraid to answer. I stared at the screen, but I wasn't ready to face her, not yet. I couldn

ld I calm her fears when