***IRENE***Twenty minutes later, we arrived. And I dragged my suitcase out of the taxi. Then, I turned around to pay the driver, muttering a quiet “thank you” before turning toward Lucy’s apartment building. The evening air felt cold against my skin, brushing away the warmth of my anger, but not enough to calm the storm inside me. My hands were still trembling—from fear, from anger, from exhaustion, from everything that had happened today.I gripped the handle of my bag tighter and climbed the stairs, my legs feeling like lead with every step. By the time I reached Lucy’s door, my throat was tight. I knocked, once, then again, and soon the door opened.“Irene?” Lucy’s voice was full of surprise and concern. But the moment her eyes fell on me, seeing the bruises, she gasped shockingly. “Oh my God, what happened? You look—”Before she could finish, I dropped my bag and just hugged her. She froze for a moment, then wrapped her arms around me.“I’m okay,” I mumbled, though I didn’t e
Last Updated : 2025-10-22 Read more