ht that does not comfort you. It exposes you. My head pounds behind my eyes, my throat feels sc

nt to the fact that I went through hell twelve hours ago. I lie on my back and stare at the ceiling, trying to convince myself that last night actually

movement bleed through the walls. The kettle whistles in the kitchen. My mother clatters dishes in that tense, repetitive way she uses when s

n danger. They will expect reassurance. They will wait for the familiar thin smile I always give them, the one that says ever

es on the nig

peful, completely out of step with the heavi

rything

treat y

ou ge

ing surgery. Can yo

the night politely entertaining a lonely old man for quick cash. She has no idea about Adrian. No idea what he did or

. My legs feel heavy, like I

nd. Ten crisp hundred dollar bills. They look obscene here, like money dropped onto a child's table. The morning light hi

hing at the back of my neck. I shut the drawer before the numbers can

name. Men laughing while he begged for time. I remember stepping in front of him, shaking and furious and terrifi

wer hard and go

shows someone I barely recognize. Red eyes. Cracked lips. Tangled hair from a night of restless

ave to invent a version I can live with. A version where not

e buzze

nown n

I know who it is befo

s the p

early out

g for your d

s sharpest. I stare at the message until my jaw aches from clenching. They never cared about emotional

My mother screaming. My hands shaking so badly I could barely make a call. I remember stand

ed. They a

before I can

You will get it. S

ly comes

promises. We

until nex

xten

scratches its way out of my throat. As if money appears when yo

My father's debt. Mia's mother's surgery. The checks. Adrian's face. Adrian's voice. Every man with

t feels l

aighten my shoulders. I lift my chin. I do

reat. I ignore them and get dressed. Jeans. An old sweater. Shoes worn

e buzze

sage stop

cant't make the payment. Come to my office

Taemin would appear now. He always knows when I am vulnerable. Just like eig

back then. My reputati

ts like these since my fat

the screen dims, then look at

I am not the girl who broke.

ont of me. Jaden, who used me. Adrian, who

wants s

still s