She was folded into the farthest corner of the darkened room, seated on the icy tiles, her knees drawn tightly to her chest as though she could hold herself together by sheer force. Tears streamed unchecked down her face. She made no move to wipe them away. What was the point? The pain inside her was far greater than the sting on her cheeks.
Her heart throbbed with a relentless ache, sharp and suffocating, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't quiet it.
Deep down, she knew exactly where it came from.
It was because of him.
It had always been because of him.
Why did he have this kind of power over her?
She had never been this fragile. Never this easily shattered.
"Jacqueline."
His voice low, rich, unmistakable cut through the cold stillness of the room. It sent a shiver racing up her spine, the fine hairs at the back of her neck rising in response.
