Aria POV
When I woke, the first thing I felt was the tightness across my cheeks—dried tears, crusted at the corners of my eyes. I lay there, limbs heavy as stone, every muscle screaming in protest. Even the simple act of opening my eyes hurt, the light stabbing through my lids like shards of glass. I had to keep them closed for several minutes, just breathing, just existing in the dark.
When I finally managed to pull myself up, I moved to the bathroom on autopilot, splashing cold water on my face. The mirror showed me what I already knew—swollen eyes, pale skin, a girl who looked like she’d been hollowed out from the inside.
Mom needs me right now. I have to be strong for her.
The thought came automatically, a mantra I’d repeated so many times that had worn grooves into my mind. I can’
