iking

y skin. My thoughts returned to why I was here. I never imagined I'd ha

hey would have continued to believe their cruelty was justified,

. They would probably hate me now. Perhaps they always did. All those years of bending ove

fall down again and again and end up in their arms. They'd have her back. Me? I was the black sheep that di

r than shame. But when it's your own flesh and blood who are supposed to love you no matter what, and they begin chippin

about strangers. This is my family. And sometimes fighting them didn't mean yell

m. Starting tomorrow, I'd build a life on my own terms. Not because o

y. "God, these stupid emotions," I muttered. No matter how tough I tri

atching me. My skin tightened, and my breathing stal

ur still here?

ess. His posture was casual but heavy, as if the entire world was on his

de and slender, the type of perfect that didn't have to try. The man turned to her, flicked his cigarette over the

everything my parents wanted me to be: thin, poised, and effortless. I clenched the railing, then

k with more force than was required. But as I turned away, I

be. But he was al

able, stirring a spoon in a glass of water. His

ou still awake?

smile. "Oh, Mara. Haven't you gone to bed yet?"

off. "No thanks. Already carr

My eyes narrowed on the pills by his glas

inking. "I can't sleep since your grandmother passed away. Every night I hear her laugh, feel her touch in

round him, his body feeling frailer tha

iping away his tears.

zing his hand. But then came t

th a faint smile that

spond, he changed the subject. "So, about that job hunt. Rowan Architects are top-notch.

rest. If I nailed this, I'd accomplished everything I'd been

then tilted his head. "So

ul... until the neig

ned. "Is

n't worry. He

is like a ghost. Shows up once in a blue m

nd he chuckled befor

___

t, I awoke with a pounding heart and shallow breathing. It was not a dre

wn. My skin prickled as if unse

s," I said quietly, pul

it. A faint shadow slid

heart racing. The doo

wn, staring at the ceiling, trying to believe it

_____