Kissed by a stranger Marked forever

rejections, she finally came across a small, vacant apartment tucked behind a weathered café on a quiet street. The space was nothing special, just four walls, a tiny kitchen, a single window,but it was hers. The landlady, was a stern older woman with kind eyes, looked her over with silent judgment before nodding. "One month upfront. No trouble, no noise. You clean up after yourself." Felicia smiled, digging into her envelope. "No trouble at all. I promise." The key was cold in her hand. But it was a beginning. As soon as she stepped inside the apartment, she dropped her bag and collapsed onto the old couch pushed against the far wall. A sigh escaped her lips,equal parts relief and exhaustion. She stared up at the ceiling, the silence pressing in, and for the first time in days, she allowed herself to breathe. She reached for her phone. Dad. It rang twice. "Felicia?" His voice broke through immediately, rough and raw with emotion. "Hi, Daddy. I just wanted to let you know... I made it." Silence. Then a sharp inhale. "Oh, thank God." There was a hitch in his voice. "Are you okay? Is everything alright? Did you eat?" "I'm fine," she said softly, smiling through the lump in her throat. "Found a small apartment. It's nothing fancy,