I woke up the next morning with swollen eyes and a heavy chest. The moment I sat up, the memory of David standing by the window came rushing back. His voice. His laugh. The way he spoke about me like I was nothing. I walked to the mirror and stared at my reflection. My face looked tired. My eyes were red. I touched the faint marks on my neck that Julian and Marcus had left. My body still remembered their hands, their mouths, their heat. But today those memories brought more pain than pleasure.
I dressed slowly in a simple long-sleeve shirt and pants. I needed to feel covered. Protected. When I went downstairs, the smell of breakfast filled the house. Everyone was already at the table.
David sat at the head in his wheelchair, smiling when he saw me. “Good morning, my love. You look beauti
