What's the worst thing in life?
Losing someone… or realizing they can still be taken from you after they're gone?
I used to think grief had a limit.
That once you lost someone, that was it—the worst pain you'd ever feel.
I was wrong.
Because somehow, even after death, life still finds a way to take from you.
Alex still wasn't opening the door.
The hallway felt too narrow, the air too tight, like the walls were leaning in, watching me unravel. Drew rattled the handle again, harder this time. The metal clanked uselessly.
Nothing.
My legs gave out before I realized I was sinking. I slid down slowly until my back hit the door, my knees pulled tight to my chest. I pressed my forehead against my legs, breathing in short, shaky bursts.
Okay. Calm down, Evelyn. Just breathe. Just breathe.
"Evelyn," Seb said softly, kneeling in front of me. "Hey. Look at me. We'll fix this, okay? You need to calm down."
I shook my head, tears spilling anyway.
