21 - The Aftermath of a Mistake

Chloe Jane

I wake up the following morning feeling unusually clear-headed, a stark contrast to the haze of pain and discomfort that had clouded my senses for the past few days. Sitting up in bed, I can’t help but smile, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up, reaching out to find my things. My mind is blissfully blank, I gather my clothes and make my way to the shower, eager to wash away the remnants of the discomfort that had plagued me.

After a refreshing shower, I feel rejuvenated, ready to face the day with a new energy. I wrap myself in a towel, go to the bedroom to get dressed, and start the day.

But the moment I step in, Ruin’s distinct scent hits me - smoky, worn leather mixed with the sharp tang of whiskey. It’s a scent that’s become familiar, yet in this moment, it triggers a flood of memories from the night before.

They flood back in a torrential rush: the pain, the desperation, my pleading voice, and Ruin... how he ‘h