in between her legs, but from the ache that had lodged itself into her chest. The sun was much too bright for how she felt inside. She

, not even when he called her a prostitute without using the word. But now, walking through a city she no longer r

it, and the hallway smelled like detergent and old sweat. She moved quickly past the kitchen, ignoring

was missing, and inside, all her things had been tossed

ri

she had shared countless breakroom chats with. M

ts to see you,"

cked up the box, h

ople. Mr. Collins sat behind his desk, his shirt sweat-stained

this morning, by eight but y

tried to talk b

yoh always come up with an excuse, all the time, your grandma is always the excuse each time you come late...the wor

ox. "I wasn't well. Something

xcuses already... You should've called. We don't have

both day and night shifts until i recover the

em like someone who is dedicated for work..." he snapped.

ssal in his eyes said everything. She wanted to plead, but she knew her

r pride shredded. That job had been her only lifeline. Without it, h

like streets. They were c

beside her, and sat staring into nothing. Her phone buzzed once. A message

ci

once, she wanted silence. No buzzing, no apologies. No word

eks and dropped onto her lap. It wasn't just about Lucien or the job. It was everything. How the world treated broken g

lace was cold and dark.Aria dropped her things and walked into the tiny

... those told the real story. They weren't the same eyes that had once dreamed

hot steam filled the room. As she stepped into the

f-but she stood there, water running down her back, and tore

half. Then again. Again. Until it wa

at around the drain

, but she needed something. As she stared at her chipped coffee table, her mind wandered t

r missed how he had looked at her the night b

t clear. He wished he'd never st

nt: People don't regret helping un

done being

. She would call the clinic and ask for a payment plan for

our hours, but what she hadn't lost-what n

re. Bare, bruise