21

Helen Vale The silence after my last thought felt unbearable. Too sharp. Too honest. Katherine had won. And for the first time in my life— I genuinely did not know how to survive losing. Sebastian suddenly slammed his glass onto the counter hard enough to crack it. The sound snapped something inside me. “I can’t do this anymore,” he muttered harshly, dragging both hands through his hair. “I can’t f*****g breathe in this house.” I laughed bitterly. “Then leave.” His head snapped toward me instantly. “What?” “You heard me.” The words came easier now. Hotter. Meaner. Maybe because I was finally exhausted enough to stop pretending. “I hate this house,” I snapped. “I hate this life. I hate waking up every morning listening to your mother compare me to Katherine like she was s