Lexi sat curled up on her couch, feeling numb.
The confrontation with Julian had left her more broken than she cared to admit. She thought walking away would feel like freedom. Like a victory. Instead, all she felt was empty. Shattered.
The flowers he sent were still crammed into her office—she hadn't had the strength to throw them out. She hadn’t even gone back there. She couldn’t bear the sight of them.
The knock on her door startled her.
"Lexi?" It was Rachel’s voice, muffled through the wood. "Please let me in."
Lexi pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders, closing her eyes. She didn’t move. She didn’t speak.
After a moment, she heard Rachel sigh.
"Lex," her best friend called again, softer this time. "I know you're hurting. I know you think shutting everyone out will ma
