Time moved fast after that ugly confrontation.
Before long, the official list of government-funded study abroad awardees was posted for everyone to see.
Several friends messaged right away to congratulate me, and joked that I owed them a celebratory meal.
I agreed to every one of them happily.
I felt lighter than I had in ages. I even put on a little makeup before heading out.
But the moment I stepped through the dorm doors, that good feeling died instantly.
Darren was standing right there, eyes red and raw, looking at me with a fury so intense it felt like he might tear me apart where I stood.
He strode straight over, grabbed my wrist hard, and pulled me along with him.
I could not twist freely, and he ignored every single word I said to him.
I still had enough pride left not to
