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I slam the safe shut, the metal clang echoing in my skull.

I’m not doing this to her.

Time to get my shit together.

For real this time.

If I want Naomi, really want her, I need to be someone worth staying for.

I grab the tablet on my desk and open the document I avoided until now.

Jeff found a buyer, and all that’s left is for me to sign the contract.

I scroll through the document, past all the legal bullshit about property transfers and payment terms. The cursor blinks at the signature line, waiting. Mocking.

My hand trembles as I pick up the stylus. The cut from earlier throbs beneath its towel.

I’m not giving up, cupcake.

This is for you.

I sign and hit the ‘Submit’ button.

The screen flashes confirmation, a cheery ‘Contract Signed!’ message popping up.

It’s done.

The tablet dims, then goes dark.

Somehow, I expected this would make Naomi magically appear beside me. Make her call me.

No matter what I do, it’ll never be enough.

Not for my father, not for Elijah, not for Naomi, not for anyone.

I will wait.

Maybe I’m lucky.

TWENTY-FIVE

NAOMI

“How are you sleeping?” Dr. Patel sits across from me, one slim leg crossed over the other, radiating that effortless poise I’ve always envied.

I shrug. “Fine.”

“Ms. Smith. Please.” There’s that tone, the subtle pissed one. “We talked about one-word answers.”

“I sleep.” I pick at a loose thread on my skirt. “Sometimes.”

She makes a note. “And eating?”

The thread comes loose, and I wind it around my finger until the tip turns purple. “When I can.”

“Define ‘when you can.’”

The clock ticks through the suffocating stillness.

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