Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Edge of Yes
There was something different in the light that morning.
It moved slower across the floor, like it was hesitating before touching anything. Like it knew what I hadn’t said yet. Like it knew that today something might change—and didn’t want to startle it.
I stood in front of the mirror longer than I should have.
Not to fix anything.
Just to see myself.
To study the way my eyes didn’t flinch anymore when I thought about him.
To acknowledge the way my lips looked a little fuller when I didn’t hold them too tightly closed.
To admit, in the smallest, most silent way, that I wanted him to see me.
Not as a muse.
As a woman.
As Lena.
**
I didn’t text him.
I didn’t need to.
And maybe that was the real difference.
There was no ritual anymore. No o
