Chapter 320

Abigail gazed at me with her signature gentle smile, the kind that used to make me feel like the most important person in the world. She leaned in and kissed me softly, her hand brushing against my cheek like she always did. But this time, it felt empty. Her affection no longer stirred any warmth in me. Instead, it felt staged, like she was performing for an audience. I couldn't shake the feeling that her tenderness was rehearsed, a calculated move to keep me tethered. It didn't inspire love—it only made my stomach turn. Still, I smiled, playing along as if her touch meant something. "Don't stay out too late," I said with a calm nod. As soon as she walked out the door, I let out a long breath. Relief swept over me, and a weight lifted from my chest. I relished the solitude. Being alone reminded me of who I used to be, of the person I was before I became this hollow version of myself. With Abigail around, I felt like a shell, a puppet forced to wear the mask of a loving