Bella stayed by the window long after Chloe and Timothy had left, her eyes fixed on the direction they walked even though they were already far gone.
The morning light was brighter now, slipping through the curtains like unwelcome truth, touching everything she didn't want to face. Her hands were trembling a little, and her breath came in uneven pulls.
Jake was still outside.
She could feel his presence even without looking and it made her chest tighten. It made her heart feel too heavy. And somehow, it made the pain inside her rise again, fresh and sharp.
But she shook her head, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"No," she whispered to herself firmly. "Not now. I can't deal with him right now. Rachel is the one who needs me. Rachel first. Rachel comes before everything today."
