Mariah POV
I woke up with fire in my chest.
No more crying. No more hiding in blankets and pretending I didn’t hear my own screams echo in my head. I was done being the victim. Mila wanted to play dirty? Good. Because I was done playing nice.
Nick stirred beside me, still asleep, one arm locked protectively around my waist. His grip was tight, like even in sleep he thought I might vanish again.
I didn’t move. I just stared at the ceiling and replayed her voice in my head. Mila, laughing.
She thought she’d get away with it.
Not a chance.
I slowly slid out of Nick’s grasp and got out of bed. My legs were shaky, but they worked. My body ached, but I was breathing.
And I was ready.
I made it to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Pale. A little sore.
But alive.
And soon? I’d ma
