Sandy's POV
My skull felt like it was splitting in half when consciousness finally dragged me back to the surface. The relentless pounding behind my temples made every breath feel labored as I slowly shifted my head across the pillow, searching for him. The space where Charles had been was vacant now, nothing but cool sheets greeting my searching fingers.
I stared up at the ornate ceiling, fragments of last night's conversation drifting back like pieces of a shattered mirror. Each recovered memory brought with it a fresh wave of self-loathing. I had stripped myself bare, exposed every vulnerability, and now the morning light made me feel foolish for trusting him with my truth.
Pushing myself upright, I let my feet find the floor, my gaze immediately catching on something familiar resting on the nightstand. My heart stuttered against my ribs. That was definitely my phone.
