Page 54 of Stiletto's Savior

Testing for STDs. Blood work. All because Siren told them everything.

I roll onto my side, pulling my knees to my chest.

I want to scream. To punch something.

Anything to drown out the memories—the dark nights, the cold hands that gripped me, the laughter that echoed in my mind like an unholy chant.

“Is this really my life?” I murmur, blinking back tears.

I let out a shaky breath. “This can’t be happening.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, but the images push through anyway.

I see their faces, twisted with malicious glee.

I hear their taunts, sharp as knives.

“God, why did you even bother saving me?” The words slip out before I can stop them, raw and jagged.

I look out the window again.

The world outside is beautiful.

The snowflakes dance in the air, oblivious to the pain inside me.

“Why can’t I feel anything? Why am I just numb?”

A single tear escapes, trailing down my cheek.

I wipe it away angrily, ashamed.

The snow keeps falling.

Zane is even going to bat for Miles, saying he’s a good guy, but he wasn’t there when I needed him most.

That was years ago. So…what if Zane is right?

What if he came back because he really wants to give this a go with me?

My heart races as I replay the last few days in my mind.

The way Miles looked at me, fierce and intense.

How he held me in the SUV when I couldn’t hold myself together.

If he’s still here, maybe it’s not just pity.

Maybe he is serious about giving this a go, and maybe I should give him a chance.

I open my eyes, staring out at the snow-covered world.

The flakes drift down like whispered promises.

Maybe it’s time to let him in again.

Maybe this time will be different.

I close my eyes, inhaling deeply.

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