symbol of my victory just moments ago, now seemed to mock me. Washing away my makeup, the reflection staring back was now

he only child, now as a wife. The first battle was kind of over, but the se

my emotional turmoil. A question, that kept coming up a thousand times from the qui

silent plea or a question lost in the business of the world. This time, it was like a p

ment kept echoing in my head as I let

ylist replied, her voice gentle. I'd completely forgotten she w

ite, the automatic response to a compliment, but it didn't qui

trouble bubbling from inside of me, the storm brewing behind my carefully constructed facade. B

g wound. It did a little job by soothing the aching in my heart. The question lingered in the air, a silent echo in the room. Did

a relentless chorus, filled my head. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing they could be quiet. For the f

n the mirror. Makeup, as always, worked its magic. It masked the dark circles under my e

around her. But tonight, the mask had begun to slip. The exhaustion, the gnawing sense of worthlessness, is now obvi

g to someone who wouldn't judge, who might offer a path out of thi

ounds constant betrayals had inflicted on me, and more i

ng of my self-worth, was slowly eating away at me. Maybe a therapist could help me untangle the mess, rebuild m

e, my face all caked up. I was more than ready physically

about the pomp had changed into a tense silence. I was already frustrated enough, he must al

see Nicholas unprepared for the event. Instead, he strolled in, fully prepared, adjusting th

was a low rumble, laced with a

before he could answer, a practiced smile flickered across his face. "We do

ovement sharp and instinctive. "Don't," I spa

face. But quickly, the practiced charm returned. "Is this really the time

gaining strength with every word. "Where were you, Nic

didn't answer me. His silence was a loud answer, enough to be the confirmation of the suspicions that