Page 75 of Rebellion

Shit!

She couldn’t move.

The pain was agonizing. It made her feel sick and made tears drip down her cheeks.

Panic flooded her.

What was she going to do? She couldn’t stay sitting here on the shower floor.

Could she crawl out of here?

Another sob escaped her as she attempted to roll around onto her hands and knees.

“Sofia? Are you in here?”

She let out a surprised cry.

Holy heck.

Colm was here.

In her bedroom.

The door between the bedroom and bathroom was partially open. If he peeked inside.

Move, Sofia!

But she couldn’t. The fact was, she needed his help. But she didn’t know how she could possibly ask him.

She didn’t want him to see her like this . . . broken and . . . not beautiful.

“Sofia? If you don’t answer me, I’m coming in there.”

“I’m in the shower!” she managed to call out. “I’m naked!”

Good one, Sofia.

“Well, I assumed you would be, Squirt,” he said with amusement.

Great.

She was Squirt again. He definitely couldn’t come in and see her like this.

“You need to come out,” he said firmly. “You’ve been in there long enough.”

Excuses swirled through her mind, but she couldn’t seem to grasp hold of one. She was so overstimulated that even the feel of the water against her skin was now too much to take.

It felt punishing, almost.

Mocking her.

No matter how much you wash, you’ll never be clean.

No matter how much you dream, you’ll never be free.

Shit.

Her breathing had grown rapid, shallow. Sofia rubbed at her chest. She knew this feeling well.

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