Page 113 of Their Arrangement

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The outfit Barron bought me.

I stared at it for too long.

Thought about selling it.

But instead?—

I saw myself in it.

In the mirror.

On a street corner.

In a hotel hallway.

Slick red soles. Satin bow. Lipstick smeared.

The kind of girl you call when your wife’s out of town.

The kind of girl who smiles while dying inside.

And then?—

I clicked.

Because maybe I was already her.

And maybe that’s why the clothes fit so well.

Then added:

Quick cash. One night. Discreet.

I paused.

Stared at the screen.

And realized…

There was nothing else left.

No favors to cash in.

No secrets to trade.

Only me.

My body.

My skin.

My silence.

And for the first time, I let myself know it.

I didn’t cry again.

I just sat there.

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