my back harder against the hotel door, the polished wood cool against my fingers. "Go awa

r through the keyhole. "Alina... it's me, Iris. Please, ju

sympathy. I didn't want the pity in her eyes. And yet... five years of friendship

, would have run screaming. But not me. I stopped her from dabbing at the stain. "It's fine," I'd said softly, a small smirk hiding the burning embarrassment

ith the lock. The door swung open to reveal her: Iris, sharp blazer, hair pulled i

!!!!...?" she exclaimed, only to catch sight of the

ked aside under the TV. My hair tangled, my mascara smeared black streaks ac

ther into the couch, the scent of

tepping closer, her shoes silent on the carpet. Her ha

... found a sexy shawty," I croaked, voice breaking, burning with equal parts rage and s

back into the sofa cushions. I let her, because somehow... after five years, she was the only one I would let in

ing on the cushions. My mate mark was fading slowly, a cruel reminder that

ounding. "Tell me everything," she said gently, her eyes scanning my tear-str

ying from my hands. The public humiliation

ed, five years of unbroken fr

stained, laughter shared over embarrassment. Somehow that memory gave me courage. S

about to pour everythin

voice calm but laced with a sharp

e wound feel deeper, rawer. The flashes of cameras, the whispers, the headlines I had lived it in r

," I whispered. "The doors. The flashes. Him holding her h

lifeline. She leaned down and whispered, "Alina... that little slot Amelia?

feel alive again. A spark of vindication flickered inside me, small but real. My sister pe

hed for my phone. "I need

asked, her tone s

dickhead... that rich, spoiled fool who thinks he

knew I needed it most. I closed my eyes, leaning into the gesture, letting her touch calm the storm insi

over his contact. My pulse was fast, my ha

her hand cupping my jaw. "No. Not tonight. Not for

over to the table, grabbed a makeup wipe, and handed it to me. "Here. Cle

s disappearing slowly. I felt a little lighter, a litt

hint of vulnerability breaking through the ange

esence solid beside me. And in that quiet moment, amidst the shattered pieces of my wedding day, the paparazzi

but with Iris here, maybe, just ma