Rissa’s POV

I stayed kneeling by the river long after Josh walked away.

I kept my hand in the water until it went numb, just to prove I could still feel something real. Something untouched.

I didn't trust my instincts. I hated that more than anything.

They used to be sharp, a compass I could navigate an entire life with. But lately, they felt tampered with. Tilted. Like someone slipped a finger on the scale and smiled while watching me try to balance.

Water rippled around my ...