The cool tiles under my feet jolted me as I entered the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I leaned against the sink, gripping its edges, and stared at my reflection in the mirror. My face was flushed, my hair a mess, and my eyes brimmed with unshed tears.
“Get it together,” I whispered to myself, forcing deep, steady breaths. But no matter how hard I tried, the ache in my chest refused to ease. This was supposed to be my moment of control—my terms, my rules. Instead, it felt like I’d handed Nicolas every piece of me, only for him to remind me why I could never have him.
A soft knock on the door broke through my spiraling thoughts. “Melissa,” Nicolas called out, his voice muffled yet careful. “Can we talk?”
I pressed my fingers to my temples. “I need a minute,” I replied, trying to k
