~Kate~
The moment I opened the door, I didn’t think. I didn’t breathe.
I didn’t even allow my brain to process what had just happened because if I did, I knew I would collapse right there in the hallway, and that was the last thing I needed.
So I ran.
Like something was chasing me, like the walls of the house were closing in, like if I didn’t get away fast enough, I would drown in everything I was feeling.
My feet barely touched the ground as I rushed down the hallway with my shame over taking me, my heart pounding so loudly it felt like it was echoing in my ears, and when I finally got to my room, I slammed the door shut behind me and leaned against it, my chest rising and falling so fast I could barely catch my breath.
And then…
Everything hit me at once.
The tears came before I
