(Karen’s POV, Present Tense)

I don’t sleep.

The night stretches endlessly, each tick of the clock drilling deeper into my chest. Every time I close my eyes, I see Yasmin in her red dress, smirking, whispering about London.

And Dre’s face, guilty, caught, afraid.

By the time morning comes, I feel hollow, like I’ve been scraped clean inside.

Anita stayed the night, curled on the couch beside me. She stirs awake now, stretching and rubbing her eyes. “You didn’t sleep at all, did ...