I was still smiling. Still lost in the reflection of the woman who didn’t look broken anymore. The lipstick gleamed like fire against the red dress. The jewelry sparkled. The heels made me stand taller than I ever had before.
For once, I wasn’t afraid of my own reflection.
For once, I felt alive. I tilted my head, brushing a hand along my hair, still smiling at the mirror. It felt strange-smiling. My cheeks ached from it, but I didn’t care.
I wanted to hold onto that moment.
I wanted to stay there, inside that tiny slice of peace, before it vanished again.
Then.. the knock.
Hard. Sudden.
Deep enough to make the vanity tremble.
The sound hit me so hard my breath broke in half. My hand froze halfway to my face, the lipstick clutched tight in my fingers.
The smile fell before I co
