~TESSA~
The pain in my hand came and went in waves.
Marla had wrapped it in a cold towel, her voice soft but firm, like a mother’s.
“You’re lucky it didn’t blister worse,” she said. “You need to keep that clean. No more frying for you tonight.”
I nodded, staring at my own fingers. They looked small, fragile. Red lines where the hot oil had kissed my skin.
I wasn’t thinking straight — hadn’t been since the call. My hands still trembled when I tried to tie the bandage tighter. Every word Ryder said replayed in my head, tangled with my lie.
“I’ve moved on.”
“I’m with Marcus now.”
The sound of my own voice saying it made me sick.
Marla leaned closer. “You sure you’re okay, sugar? You’ve been… distant lately.”
I smiled weakly, the way people do when they’re too tired to pretend. “Just
