Fifteen Minutes Ago…
Inside the restroom, Anna felt her consciousness slipping, her body trembling as though the last of her strength was draining away. Her knees buckled, and for a moment she thought she might collapse right there on the cold tiles.
Then a voice echoed in her mind.
"Prove me wrong, Anna."
Wilsmith's words from earlier replayed like a challenge, piercing through the fog in her head. They struck a nerve, reminding her of everything at stake. She had dreams to chase, a life she wanted to live on her own terms. And no matter how weak she felt, she would not—could not—lose this chance.
'Don't give up, Anna. You can do this.'
Her lips trembled as she whispered the words to herself, a fragile encouragement that lit something inside her. With a shaky breath, she tightened her grip on the door handle, forcing her trembling body upright. Her lungs burned, her vision swam, but she braced herself.
She would not let this weakness define her. Not today.
