mi

urthouse and stepped out, attract

inst the marble floor, scanning for Malik in the small c

every face, Malik's

skipped

gown,I took a

was just

night. I told myself not to panic as I stepped asid

espo

ain. Still

mble slightly as I step

minutes turne

as I sat patiently. I could feel the stares from passersby as I

passed, I was pacing, tryi

" I whispered to myself, my voice dry and cracked. My min

ded a

r, my heels no longer sounding confident but desperat

sked the security guard about him, he confirm

rong. Something was deeply, painful

might know what was going on. So I dialed the one

dn't p

gain. No

always answered my calls, es

as I gripped th

her house. Maybe she was asle

ce, I knocked on the e

ans

ock again, I heard soft m

I couldn't believe my sister was hooking up with a man wh

a familiar voice t

knew far

li

brain refusing to process

the door, muffled but unmistakable. "Emilia doesn't even excite

caught in

heard Charlotte giggle. "You're such a ba

othly. "I wondered how stupid she had to be to think

ere beginning to well up in my

scene from a nightmare

sheets, their bodies glued together as they moaned, with cl

roze when t

gasped, covering h

regret as he rushed to put on his clothes

inside me crack-something that could never be re

u weren't satisfying him. He needed someon

and rage as I raised my han

t of bed and caught

r!" he barked, his

f. "You're defending her? A

eren't enough, Emilia. I want

me like a punch

s strong grip and took a shaky step back, hol

g. "You promised me forever. You

otte scoffed, stretching lazily. "Yo

for the first time in my life, I

ged. "He

oor, shaking. "I hope

o grab my hand. "Emilia, don't

tterly. "You explained

mered. "But you blew up my phone. I

e again." My voice cra

but his pants, trailing behind like

he warned coldly, pointing

mile I could muster. "I wouldn't touch a

my phone-the only thi

crying as I stormed out of my own si

ck of my hand, I refused to

going

going to reg

yet, or when-but v

step... was al