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Heated arguments

last update 최신 업데이트: 2025-05-18 18:50:48

ALTHEA

I don’t sleep.

All night, I turn and toss in bed, eyes wide open in the dark, haunted by what I’ve done. The room feels too warm. The sheets too tight. I can still feel the press of Aaron’s lips against mine, soft and gentle, but it doesn’t bring peace. Only guilt.

Because no matter how sweet he was, no matter how badly I wanted to feel something—anything—what I did is the same thing Sophie was punished for. The same thing that had her screaming in chains, her skin torn open in front of everyone.

And yet… no one’s punished me. Not yet.

By morning, my stomach is in knots. My eyes burn, and my head aches from the lack of sleep. I drag myself out of bed anyway. There’s no time to feel sorry for myself. I need to look composed. Empty. Just another pawn in their game.

I slip on a simple dress and tie my hair back quickly. The moment I step out of my room, I glance around. Relief floods me when I see the hallway is empty.

Aaron isn’t here.

I don’t know what I would’ve done if he was.
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