Stella's message was simple, cheerful, and completely oblivious to the turmoil she’d unknowingly caused:
“Thank you for coming tonight. It meant so much to us. Hope you got home safe!”
I stared at the message, my chest tightening with a fresh wave of emotion. She had no idea, did she? No idea that I was falling apart while she basked in her perfect, happy life.
I couldn’t respond. Not now. Not ever.
Instead, I turned off my phone and tossed it aside, letting it clatter onto the floor. I didn’t want to hear from anyone. I didn’t want to see anyone.
I was utterly alone.
As the hours dragged on, I curled up on the couch, hugging a pillow to my chest. My tears eventually dried, but the pain remained, a dull, throbbing ache that refused to fade.
I knew I couldn’t stay like this forever.
