EN – Page 146

I still remember the moment tears slipped silently into my hair. Not because of the pain. Not because

I still remember the exact moment I stopped feeling afraid. Not when the wine hit my clothes.

I still remember the sound of laughter behind me. Not joy. Not warmth. The kind of laughter that decides

I never thought silence could weigh more than humiliation. But standing in that golden hall, with laughter

I never thought silence could hurt more than words. But standing in that golden hall, hearing my own

I used to think the hardest part was being invisible. Standing in a room full of people who look straight

I thought nothing could hurt more than being humiliated in front of strangers. But I was wrong.

I thought the most painful thing was being humiliated in silence. Standing in a room full of people who

Natalie’s fingers tightened around Chloe’s wrist just a little more than necessary. And Chloe felt it.

Karen’s grip tightened just a little more than it should have. And Mia felt it. Not pain. Not exactly.