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CHAPTER 17

Author: Nancy Grey
last update Last Updated: 2025-09-05 06:15:35

Dahlia’s POV

I finally pushed myself up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. My hair was a mess, strands sticking to my cheeks, and my lips were dry. I dragged myself to the bathroom and turned on the shower. The rush of water filled the tiled room, echoing softly. I stepped under the spray and let the warm water pour over me, soaking into my skin, washing away the drowsiness. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, listening to the steady sound, and for a moment I felt almost calm. Almost safe.

When I finished, I wrapped myself in a towel and wiped the steam from the mirror. My reflection stared back at me, pale and bare, looking younger than I felt. There was no glow, no shine—just me, simple, plain. A little part of me liked that.

I dried my hair quickly, leaving it damp and messy, and went into the closet.

The closet wasn’t just a closet. It was like a showroom. Dresses of every color and texture lined the walls, neatly pressed and hanging on polished wooden hangers. Some shimmered
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