Chapter 45

Isabelle blinked back tears as realization finally settled in. Problems seemed to be pouring from every corner, surrounding her unforgivingly. Isabelle stood in Sean's guest room bathroom in front of the oval wall-mounted mirror above the sink. The only thing she could see in her reflection were her dead eyes. There was no spark, no joy, and no hope. All she could ask herself was whether she would manage to live another minute.

She splashed cold water on her face and exited without bothering to dry off. Isabelle had been stripped of her own choices and decisions. Sam, Dylan, and Tiffany; an unplanned pregnancy; Christian drama; and Mr. Stanton. She spoke them aloud, dragging herself towards her bed. It had been a few hours since her return from the hospital, but she had no idea what time it was.

"You don't look okay." Sean's voice pulled her back into reality. He was casually leaning on the entrance door with his hands deep in his pockets. When he came back from work and called for h