a P

ably, but the cold outside was nothing compared to the desolation in my heart. Tears mingled with the rain, indistinguishable, a silent testament to m

d all the latest tech, but in this moment of crisis, it was useless. The screen was u

haunted me, a cruel mocking echo of a promise broken. He had said it so many times, his arms wr

flooded streets. They chafed my feet, slowed my progress, each step a struggle. I pulled them

ze of pain. The rain finally subsided, replaced by a chilling drizzle. Then, t

me. The harsh glare of fluorescent lights pierced my eyelids. I was on a gurney, being wheeled ra

ct, Mr. Nash," a female voice said, cle

son. He would come. He had to. He couldn't leav

"Dora? A car accident? Really?" There was no concern, no panic. Only irritation. "Tell her I'm bus

a million microscopic fragments. The pain in my leg, the throbbing in my head, faded into insignificance compared to th

ed, her voice filled with pity. "We need t

sed uncons

rying to make sense of a smartphone, dropping it repeatedly. Dawson had been there, his laugh warm, hi

He would hold my hand, his thumb tracing patterns on my skin, making me feel cherished, safe. I remembered our first kiss, tentative and sw

smiles morphed into the cold, calculating glint I had seen in his eyes at the restaurant. His touch, once comforting, now felt like a violation. All of it. Every single momen

ed in a cast, heavy and stiff. The hospital room was bright, sterile, a stark contra

, and in walked Dawso

ace a picture of concern. She took my hand, her touch cool and surprisingly gen

n. He looked... annoyed. Not w

ning to him, her voice firm yet soft. "Leaving her in the rai

s eyes, quickly replaced by irritation. "Fine. Dora, I'm sorry you got hurt. It was... an accident. I didn't intend for this

ce of your defiance, Dora. You must understand that. Arleen is important to me. More important than a

like a dried-up well, incapable of holding any more pa

ught you might be hungry, darling," she said, her smile saccharine sweet. "I picked out

nt reached me. My stomach lurched. "No," I whis

a? Are you going to be difficult again

n it," I said, my voice straine

eting look of surprise on her face. Dawson looked ge

ow that, Dawson. You found out years ago, w

mental about me, something that could have landed me in the emergency room if I hadn't noticed. The man who cla

sn't what it used to be. I must have completely forgotten. How thoughtless of me!" Her apology soun

r a lot of stress lately, darling. You know, with her mother's illness and all. Her mind is on more important things." He took A

er for me. "Why?" I asked, the single word a raw whisper that cut through the sterile

he said, his voice firm, leaving no room for doubt, "I would die for Arleen. I w

eling for me, were the final nail