Chapter 50 – The First Words

The cold water stung her skin, but Amelia didn’t stop. She kept splashing her face until the redness faded, until the tears that had poured from her in silence just minutes ago no longer burned on her cheeks. She gripped the edge of the sink, breathing shallowly, staring at her reflection under the soft overhead light of the hospital room’s private bathroom. Her eyes were puffy. Her lashes still wet. But the worst of the storm was hidden now, buried beneath practiced calm and trembling control. She’d broken down in here. Her body had curled in on itself like it was protecting something too fragile to carry anymore. She had sobbed so hard her ribs ached. But now… now she had to pretend. Because she didn’t want him to see her that way. And maybe, selfishly, because she didn’t want to feel