HIS LOVE HEALS ME18

CHAPTER 1

The room felt too quiet, too still. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to block out the thoughts that wouldn't leave me alone. Raymond. His name was a whisper that echoed in every corner of my mind, refusing to fade. No matter how hard I tried to forget, every moment with him came rushing back, each memory sharper than the last.

I could still feel his fingers intertwined with mine, the way his thumb would lightly stroke the back of my hand. The way he smiled-God, that smile-it used to make everything else disappear. Now it was a ghost that haunted me. I shut my eyes tight, hoping the darkness would swallow the memories, but it didn't.

"I thought he loved me." The words slipped out, bitter and cold. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. My chest tightened as the pain clawed its way back to the surface. I bit my lip, trying to hold it in, but it was no use.

A sob escaped me, louder than I intended. I clutched my pillow, pressing my face into it as if that could muffle the sound, but it only made the ache worse. Before long, I was crying uncontrollably, the hurt pouring out of me like a dam that had finally burst.

I didn't even hear the knock on the door before it opened.

"Ava?" Mia's voice was soft. I felt her presence before I saw her. She and Sophie stood in the doorway, concern written across their faces.

"What do you want?" I snapped, not bothering to wipe the tears from my face.

Sophie stepped forward. "We heard you crying and just-"

"I don't need you hovering over me," I cut her off, sitting up abruptly. "I'm fine. Just leave me alone."

Mia exchanged a glance with Sophie. "Ava, we're worried about you."

I couldn't take it. The pity in their eyes, the way they were looking at me like I was some fragile thing about to break. I was already broken.

"I said I'm fine!" I shouted, shoving past them. I grabbed my car keys off the dresser and stormed out of the room, not bothering to look back. I needed air. I needed to get away from their worried eyes, from the memories that suffocated me.

The cool night air hit my face as I climbed into my car. I sat there for a moment, gripping the steering wheel, trying to catch my breath. But no matter how much I tried, I couldn't shake ths weught off my chest. Raymond's name still echoed, taunting me.

With a shaky breath, I started the engine and drove aimlessly through the streets, hoping the movement would distract me. It didn't. I wasn't sure how long I'd been driving when my phone buzzed beside me. It was Sophie.

I debated ignoring it, but something in me relented. I picked up the call.

"What?"

"Where are you?" Sophie's voice was gentle. "Look, Mia and I are at this lounge. It's quiet. We thought maybe you'd like to join us, just for a drink. Nothing serious."

"I don't know..." My voice trailed off. The last thing I wanted was to be around people, but the thought of being alone with my thoughts was worse.

"Come on, Ava. It'll be good for you to get out. No pressure, just us girls."

I hesitated, but eventually, I caved. "Fine. I'll stop by. But I'm not staying long."