KE

w Yo

thro

caped

invin

raumatized brain for weeks, until I was able to shut off the drea

ts and horrifying images of that night. I had to fight it all off and push through with my life. I kep

in San Pietro. They'd go berserk and would unquestionably push me to file charges against the perpetrator-which would then entangle E

with med school. My priorities were my studies and career goals-everything else was secondary. White noise. I just wanted to

l deal with it later," was his half-meant compro

his family's lawyers to represent me in court and deal with my case against the Tomassini boss. But I'd begged Mile

ept telling me it was what I should do. He said I should go back home and focus on

s in my eyes while I gave him a tight hug.

tant responsibilities to fulfill. As the only child and basically the r

ng," was my first reaction when

ving with him in his countryside house in Italy. But as it turns out, he was actually

seemed he was serious about his newfound career working for the Falcos. And he no longer had the motivation to practice h

mental and physical health, for that matter. "Jus

nce for solitude had already left a dent in our friendship before, so I knew I had to make

and I only wanted him to do whatever it was that he wanted to do in his life, for his sake and for his hea

it wasn't going to be easy at all. I was trying hard, though...because I had to. The world didn't revolve aro

and for my family. No buts

? You ho

sed her company, even though it had only been a week since I last spent time with her. Schoolwork was keepin

sigh on the other end. "My migraine's b

sical examination we had to complete this afternoon. We had to comply before w

one. "I'll drop by tomorrow after your la

ear. But I also knew my mother treated shopping like a therapy session. Retail therapy almost always got rid of her

ning to take Meesha to London next

cking in. I glanced at the time. I should make dinne

healthy meals to keep me sane. Too bad she still had to work her ass off just to pay the bills. It made me feel guilt

ld try my hardest to graduate soon. Get a steady job at a hospital. Help her pay off our

e calls. Eat something and

my eyelids battled gra

skip dinner ag

p. My eyelids felt heavier now as I let out a yaw

ght now, sleep was more im