Page 54 of Penance

“Feel better?” he asks.

It’s a simple question, but it feels loaded for some reason.

“Yes,” I lie.

No, I don’t.

I don’t feel better.

I feel raw, exposed, like every nerve ending is on fire.

He nods.

“I found some clothes for you. They might be a bit big, but they’re clean.”

The thought rocks me.

He left the bathroom?

When did he leave?

He left me… alone?

I glance past him, to the bathroom counter. I can see a neatly folded pile of clothes. The thought of wearing something of his sends a strange flutter through my stomach, but I gulp it down.

“Thank you.”

“Mercy,” he says, his voice serious. “We need to talk about what happened.”

“What is there to talk about?” I whisper.

He leans forward, his elbows on his knees.

“You need to go to the hospital.”

His words send a chill down my spine. He’s right, I know he is. But the thought terrifies me.

I shake my head.

“I can’t.”

Draco sighs, but he doesn’t look angry. He looks like he expected this.

“Someone hurt you, Mercy.”

I nod.

“I know.”

“You didn’t deserve it.”

I look away from him. I stare at my reflection in the water.

I don’t recognize the eyes that stare back at me.

“I need you to know that. I need to hear you say you know that.”

I tear my eyes away from my reflection and I look over at him.

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