chapter thirty-four

POV Lily

I was lying on my bed, my breathing irregular, amidst stifled sobs, I tried to contain the tears streaming down my face, wetting the white sheets of my bed. Jennie was by my side, caressing my hair and trying to calm me down, but nothing seemed to work.

"Lily, it's already seven in the morning, you need to calm down," Jennie said, concerned.

"I can't stop crying, Jennie. I feel like this sadness has been pent-up inside me for a long time, and only now am I able to let it out," I stammered nervously, my nose running.

"You've been crying for over three hours straight, non-stop. This is worrying, look at yourself!" Jennie argued, pointing towards the mirror.

I raised my eyes carefully and observed my reflection. I looked terrible, with my hair messy and tangled in various strange knots, swollen eyes with dark circles, and my face completely red. Furthermore, I lowered my head, embarrassed, barely able to face my own reflection.

"Go take a shower and wash your face, Lily. You can