Page 325 of Scars of Trust

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No.

I shut that thought down hard.

Because I don’t need him here.

Don’t need anyone here.

I can handle this.

I will handle this.

That’s what I do.

Still—

My fingers curl slightly against my palms.

Because there’s one thought I can’t quite shake.

One I don’t want to examine too closely.

Not now.

Not here.

Not when I need to stay focused.

But it lingers anyway.

Quiet.

Persistent.

Unwanted.

He’s going to come.

I open my eyes.

Shake that off immediately.

Because that’s dangerous thinking.

Because I don’t rely on anyone.

Because I don’t—

I’ve been alone in the world for a long time.

I can handle this.

My gaze lifts to the locked door.

Steady.

Unbreakable.

Because whether he comes or not—

I’m getting out of here.

One way or another.

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