Mari lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. The curtains were open, but she didn't care to look outside. Warm sunlight spilled into the room, yet it did nothing to lift the heavy feeling in her chest.
Her phone lay beside her, face down. She had checked it too many times already. No message from Jax. No missed call.
She had no intention of calling or texting him either.
After a while she turned on her side and hugged a pillow tight to her chest.
Mari didn't move when a knock sounded on her door and then the door creaked open quietly.
"Doll?" her mother's voice came gently. "Can I come in?"
She raised her head, "Yes, Mom."
Andy stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. She looked at her daughter for a moment, taking in the stiff posture, the tight jaw, the way Mari's shoulders were drawn inward like she was trying to protect herself.
"You didn't join us for breakfast," Andy said.
"I wasn't hungry," Mari replied flatly. "And I wasn't interested."
