Chapter 38

• I found her in the quiet of the women’s restroom alone, slumped against the door like a broken doll. Her heels were scattered across the floor, her bag spilled open, its contents littered around like forgotten secrets. Her hair fell wild and messy, hiding the face I’d seen glowing just hours ago. But now… she looked vulnerable, raw.
• Something inside me twisted pity, maybe, or something sharper. I stepped closer, picking up her things with care, folding her chaos back into order. When I reached out to lift her, her fingers shot out like claws, gripping the door frame.
• Her eyes flicked up, wary and sharp despite the drunken haze. “Who are you?”