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36. Broken relationship

Author: Lino
last update Last Updated: 2024-11-13 10:29:09

Nina

I wake up, but it doesn’t feel like I’ve actually slept. My head’s fuzzy, everything’s heavy, like the world’s been sitting on top of me all night. I roll over, squinting at the clock. 7:30 a.m. I drag myself out of bed, hands gripping the edge of the mattress like I’m holding onto sanity.

Fuck. My whole body aches, not from anything physical, but from the emotional hangover. Elijah. That conversation. I don’t even know what to do with myself anymore.

I shuffle into the bathroom, splash water on my face, and stare at myself in the mirror. Dark circles under my eyes, hair a mess. Yeah, today’s gonna be a blast. I sigh and quickly get dressed—black jeans, an oversized sweater. Nothing fancy. Just… existing.

Downstairs, I find Dad already at the kitchen counter, sipping his coffee like he’s been awake for hours.

“Morning,” I mumble, grabbing a mug and pouring myself some coffee.

“Morning, kid. You sleep?” he asks, his eyes flicking to me over the rim of his mug. His gaze is kind but
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