EMMA
The sun had come up, but it felt like the night never ended.
I sat frozen at the edge of my bed, the world quiet except for the low thud in my chest steadyand cruel. I had waited. All night. I didn't sleep, didn't move, barely even breathed. I just… waited. For him. For a knock, a voice, a text, a whisper. Anything.
But he didn't come.
And now the silence was louder than his absence.
I dragged myself to the mirror, the vanity lights flickering like they pitied me.
My reflection looked like a stranger's eyes rimmed with shadows, lips colorless, cheeks sunken like grief had carved out the softness.
I reached for the concealer with trembling fingers, dotting it under my eyes. Like covering up the evidence would erase the ache.
Pat. Blend. Smile.
Fake. All of it.
