Page 148 of Mystic's Sunrise

“Zeynep!”

She didn’t stop.

Didn’t slow.

Didn’thearme or maybe wouldn’t.

“Zey—”

Inside her door slammed shut in my face.

I froze.

Breath heavy. Jaw tight. My hand hovered over the doorknob, but I didn’t move.

That slam hit harder than a punch. Knocked the wind right out of me. Everything still pumping hot from the ride—the adrenaline, the fury—it all turned cold.

Heavy.

Rage surged in my gut, not at her, not even close.

At him. Atme. At the fucking world that continued to fuck me over.

The door creaked open again, and Brenda stepped out. I hadn’t even realized she was inside.

“Give her space,” she said, firm but not unkind.

“I gave her space,” I snapped, voice hoarse. “I’m done with that shit.”

Brenda didn’t flinch. “You aren’t helpin’ yourself.”

My chest heaved. “She needs to listen to me.”

“She will.”

“Not if I don’t push it.”

“You bust through that door right now, Mystic, and you’ll lose her for good.”

My fists curled tight at my sides. I could still feel her, like she was part of me. I fucking need her.

“She needs time,” Brenda said, softer now. “She ain’t in her body yet. She’s still trying to get absorb what’s happened and where she’s goin’.”

My voice dropped to barely a whisper. “Let me see her.”

“She’ll come to you. When she’s ready.”

I swallowed hard, throat thick. “What if she never does?”

Brenda didn’t answer.

She didn’t have to.

Because that was the truth I didn’t want to say out loud. Zeynep was back inside these walls, but she wasn’thome. Not really. I took a shaky breath and stepped back, letting Brenda go back inside.

I caught a glimpse. Zeynep, arms wrapped tight around herself, sitting on the edge of the bed like she didn’t know how to exist in her own skin. I let out a long breath, each second dragging behind my ribs. Then I turned and walked away, slow.

What the fuck do I do now?

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