Bada's body was a map of purple and red bruises, each one a reminder of the previous encounters. Every step sent sharp pains through her ribs, yet her determination refused to falter. She pressed toward Saeles's house, limping but unwavering.
Hiding briefly behind the fence, she gathered her courage. Her voice trembled but carried the weight of her obsession:
"Saeles… please… I… I just want to see you… I want to make sure you're okay…"
She stepped into the yard, ignoring the sharp wind and the ache in her body. Each step brought her closer to the girl she loved, the girl who had become the center of her universe—even if it meant getting hurt again.