Carmen
It was infuriating—watching him leave and knowing there was absolutely nothing I could do to stop it.
As much as we argued that we were partners, the truth remained unchanged. Nico had an edge over me, one I fully intended to get rid of, even if I still had no clear idea how to actually achieve it. That imbalance sat in my chest like a stone I couldn't swallow or spit out.
I shifted more comfortably on the bed and let my eyes flutter shut, trying to breathe through the dull, worsening throb in my head. It didn't matter how still I stayed; the pain felt like it was tightening its grip the longer I lay there.
"I messed up! I messed up bad!" I muttered to myself, fully aware that it had been pure chance that I got out of that situation without ending up permanently injured—or worse.
