Page 64 of Glass Jawed

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To feel numbness where feelings used to be. But I don’t say any of that.

Because the devastation hasn’t arrived yet.

It will—soon. In a minute, maybe. Just not now. But I certainly won’t be here when that happens.

I look into his eyes—eyes I once memorized like scripture.

Then at her.

Then back at him.

And I make my throat move. Force a sound to emerge from it.

“I understand.”

Inhale.

He watches me. Like he’s waiting for more. I don’t know why he’s frowning in confusion. Because there’s nothing more. Why would there be?

Exhale.

I turn around and walk toward the exit.

Every step feels too soft. Too slow. Like I’m moving through water instead of air.

At the door, I crouch down—my fingers trembling slightly as I remove the slippers. The ones I used to leave here so casually. So shamelessly mine. A claim I didn’t realize I’d need to revoke.

I’m slipping back into my sneakers when I hear the woman yelling. I ignore it.

And then, wordlessly, I reach into the small pocket of my tote.

The copy of his key.

I place it on the small console table by the door. Not hidden. Not dramatic. Just... there.

Without looking back, I open the door. Stepping into the hallway, I let it click shut behind me.

And then I simply walk away—empty, weightless, almost floating.

Another apartment. Another escape. Another humiliation.

Same man.

EIGHTEEN

Lucian

She doesn’t yell.

Why isn’t she yelling?

That’s the first thought. The only one, really, pounding against my skull as I stand there—half-dressed, half-drunk, and fully exposed.

This is when she’s supposed to scream. Cry. Throw something. Maybe even hit me. That’s whatIdid. That night, when I found them, I remember shoving a lamp off the nightstand. I remember yelling until my throat gave out. I remember feeling the betrayal because it tore through my skin like glass.

But Rohi?

She just...looks.

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