MACEY 

My parents left after dropping me off, and honestly, I was so fucking glad. I loved them, I really did, but I couldn’t stand another round of “I’m sorry, sweetheart” or “You’ll be okay, baby.” No, I wouldn’t be okay. Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Maybe not ever. 

The silence in my apartment felt strange. It was too clean, too empty, too still—like the world had pressed pause and forgot to hit play again. I dropped my hospital bag near the couch and stood there ...