a Hard

and tossed it onto my dresser. Kamryn's sweet, venomous words echoed in my head. Some people aren't used

The sounds of their life, so vibrant and full, seeped through the walls, a constant reminder of

my legs like chains. The air in my room felt thick,

leamed in the moonlight, a silent monument to a life I was about to leave behind. I hadn't played in years. Hol

A soft, discordant note broke the silence. I pulled back as if bur

d raced, listing the final tasks: pick up my new ID, close my old bank accoun

ll, insistent ache behind my eyes. I felt hollowed out, drained. But there was a st

my senses. Kamryn, bright-eyed and annoyingly cheerful, was setting the table. Ho

oo loud for my pounding head. "Did you sleep well? You look

breakfast spot. You know, the one with the incredible lemon ricotta pancakes? He said you two used to

ld hands. "We did," I said, my voice flat. "He loved th

f something unreadable in his

s thinking, for our first brunch as a married couple, we should definitely go there. It sounds so rom

terest in my designs, the way he' d listen intently, his gaze warm and reassuring. We' d

sounds... appropriate." I forced a small, tight sm

his gaze narrowing on me. "Are yo

a confidence I didn't feel. "Just a bus

ly against the floor. I needed to e

spicion in his voice. "Where are you

ne who had to know my every move, cloaked in

donate some old clothes," I lie

" His eyes were shar

sy! Chelsea's a big girl. She doesn't need to report her every move to you." She gave me a sympath

lication was clear: I was trying

ce dangerously even. "And no, Kamryn, nothing scan

know how easily you get into trouble. Especially with money." His tone was patronizing, dismissive. "I'm still

guardian. Not anymore. I was eighteen. An adult. A

wouldn't do anything to jeopardize her future, would you, darling? Especially not with your new... aspirations." Her eyes twinkle

y aspirations. The very ones he' d enco

ng myself to remain calm. T

oice steady, devoid of emot

leaving the coffee, the pastries, an

ache in my heart. I pulled my jacket tighter, hunching my shoulders against the c

den, their faces pressed close, smiling radiantly. The caption: "So excited for our future, my

"So cute!" "Relationship goals

vision blurred. A future. Their futu

g left to break. Instead, a profound, chilling despair settled over me.

ent. The words felt like ash in my mouth. "Congratulatio