Chapter 10: The Moment She Breaks
"I can't do this anymore."
The confession slips out in the dark.
They're alone.
Too close.
Too real.
Justin doesn't speak.
He lets her unravel.
"I tried," she says, voice shaking. "I tried to be what they wanted. To make it work. But it's killing me."
He reaches for her—
Slowly.
Giving her time to pull away.
She doesn't.
And when his arms close around her—
She breaks.
Years of silence shatter into quiet, desperate sobs.
"I'm so tired," she whispers into his chest.
"I know," he murmurs, holding her tighter.
And for the first time—
She believes someone sees her.