DETERIORATION

Few weeks later, Emily was coughing badly, her health had deteriorated so badly that she was unrecognizable. She couldn’t even step out due to shame.

She stared at her reflection in the cracked bathroom mirror, barely recognizing the woman looking back at her.

Her once glossy hair was dull and lifeless, her cheeks sunken in, and dark circles painted under her eyes.

She ran her fingers through her hair, tugging at the strands, as if hoping to pull some of the old Emily back to the surface. But she knew deep down, she wasn’t the same anymore.

Her body had changed. Her mind had changed. And her heart? It was shattered beyond repair.

"Emily, you need to rest," Mary’s voice called from the kitchen, her tone filled with concern and frustration. "You’re running yourself into the ground. You need to be strong"

Emily ignored her mother’s nagging. She had grown tired of hearing it…

"Rest? What has she been doing these few weeks if not staying indoors? How could she rest when everything was fa