I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My eyes were hollow, dark circles beneath them from nights spent tossing and turning. The person looking back at me felt like a stranger—broken, defeated, and tired. So tired.
Noah’s loss had taken everything out of me. Every breath, every heartbeat felt like a painful reminder that he wasn’t here anymore. And Damon? He was nowhere to be found either. At least, not for me. He had made his choice, and that choice wasn’t me. It was Leah.
That’s when I decided to call Lily.
Lily had always been a good friend, even when distance and time tried to wedge between us. We hadn’t spoken in a while, but I knew she would understand. I knew she’d listen. She always did.
As I sat in Noah’s empty room, my hands trembling, I dialed her number. The sound of her voice was like a lifeline when she answered.
“Luna?” she said, her voice concerned the moment she heard my shaky breath. “What’s wrong?”
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Lily... I don’t know where to start.”
“Take your time,” she said gently. “I’m here.”