Natalie~
The atmosphere in the boutique dressing room felt suffocating—not because of the lavish surroundings or the staff's unending lies about how each dress I tried on was made for me, but because my mind wouldn't stop spinning. Garrick had left the hospital without so much as a goodbye, and no matter how I tried to push the thoughts away, they clung to me like a shadow.
Why would he leave like that? Was he better now? Or was something wrong? I thought we had bonded during our stay at the shelter. He had listened to me, encouraged me when I felt lost, and yet… he had left without a single word. No indication that he was okay. Why? Had I been nothing more than a fleeting acquaintance to him? My heart sank deeper with every question I couldn't answer.
"Miss, this one!" one of the women chirped, holding up a flowing blue dress. Her enthusiasm barely registered with me as I nodded absentmindedly.
