Eloise stood frozen, her mind racing as Rachael’s words hit her like a slap in the face. She could feel her pulse throb in her temples, and her stomach churned with confusion. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
"I haven't changed," Eloise muttered, her voice low and tight, though she wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince Rachael, or herself.
“Eloise, can’t you see?” Rachael’s voice softened. "Your face used to be so stiff. All I saw in it was emptiness, like it didn’t belong to a living person. But now… now, I see something different. I see a spark." Her words hung heavy in the air. "I think you’re starting to feel again."
Eloise opened her mouth, but the words tangled in her throat. She had wanted to protest, to say something that would make Rachael stop looking at her like
