EPISODE 60

KEILAH

I jolted awake, disoriented, my heart pounding in my chest. The dimly lit room around me was unfamiliar, and it took a moment to recognize the faint scent that filled the air. Dhalia. This was her room. She even changed me into one of her dresses, a short, delicate garment. I looked around, a dull headache throbbing at my temples. What the heck happened? Did I pass out from the pain? I wondered.

I sat up slowly, my hand instinctively moving to my chest. The sharp, burning pain I had felt last night was gone, but a dull ache lingered. I brought my hand to my neck, touching the spot where Ralph’s mark was. As my fingers brushed against it, a strange sensation pulsed through me—a mix of warmth and sadness.

Memories from the previous night flooded back. I recalled Dahlia's revelation that Ralph was sleeping with Benita. The thought made my chest tighten again, as if the pain was threatening to return. I forced myself to take a deep breath, trying to convince myself that Ralph must