Stella's POV
Each day drags by more painfully than the last. After dreaming of Adrian in my apartment, something inside me crumbled completely. Then seeing his face contorted with disgust at that restaurant days later—it was like watching my heart shatter in slow motion. I never knew emotional suffering could be this debilitating.
Hazel's pregnancy has reached its final stage, with everyone buzzing about the quadruplets. I had no right to burden anyone with my problems. My visits to her became brief and methodical—see her, avoid lingering with the girls, deflect questions about myself, leave before anyone could dig too deep. I've become a master at dodging Atlas's persistent calls too.
