Chapter 10: The Morning After

Ivette woke up feeling lighter than she had in a long time. Safer. Freer.

Last night was hazy but she knew he'd stuck with her, through the fever. She had fallen asleep to his scent, and to his cool hands caressing her cheek, lulling the fever away.

Her cheeks heated as she creeped out of the room. She wanted to thank him. Perhaps, she'd been a little too hard on him. Accusing him, punching him that way and insulting him.

He could've left, but he didn't. He'd stayed.

And it mattered to her more than anything anyone had ever done for her. For she had always looked out for herself. In the direst of situations when she couldn't care for herself, she'd gone through those moments alone.

Not because she loved being a loner.

But because she couldn't afford to let anyone else see her at her lowest. Her weakest.

Somehow, it stayed that way. Because she couldn't show it, no one bothered asking anymore. They assumed she could look after herself, and even if that