eyes like a brutal reminder of the decisions I had made the night before. M

and moaned, only to discove

up, clutching the blanket around me as panic began to claw at my chest. My pulse pounded as the n

net

slight buzz of the metropolis outside, the chamber was unnaturally quiet. A tiny comfort that al

ver the side of the bed. I knew my hair was knotted after a restless night

d a coffee cup in the other, Kenneth intervened. His hair was a lit

in a steady tone, as if this

," I said in

olded, he placed the bag and coffee on t

used. "Perplexed," I confessed

. You were quite rattled up when we left the lounge, so I brought

ced by humiliation. "I'm sorry," I muttered, av

nly. "I wouldn't have allow

e. I was there in the aftermath, not knowing how to procee

bing my clothing

. "Tracy," he stated in a soft but forceful voice.

nneth, why are you concerned? For you, isn't this sim

ame serious.

re how to react. Rather, I concentrated on dressing,

served me in silence. He gave me the pap

instructed. "You

hem grudgingly. The elevator trip was str

doors, dispelling some of the mental fog. With his hands

you want me t

adshake. "I

and nodded. "Tracy, l

ted me as I t

about

eady state w

erek win," h

re of my destination, I was aware that I couldn't allow the night's events to define wh

-

d the bag and coffee on the counter and then sank down on the couch t

ily? Why had I allowed Kenneth to lure

h's handwriting read, "You deserve bette

t I fought the urge to cry. I

ing that made me think of Derek for the remainder of the day. Al

phone buzzed, so I curled up on the cou

from an uniden

need to ta

re

e hurt and rage from the previous evening. However, another t

ake. I want to

lingering over the screen. F

another message appeared-but t

's urgent.

from Ke

nt a shudder down my spine. Something was wron