Anastasia wouldn't let Herman sleep beside her. No matter how hard she tried,

she just couldn't accept herself—not after everything. She felt dirty, tainted in a

way that couldn't be washed away.

She didn't want to drag him down with her.

She forced herself to eat the food Herman brought, picking at it in silence, before

burrowing back under the covers. She didn't want to see anyone. She didn't want

to talk. She sent everyone away, needing to be alone.

As for those four men who died—she felt nothing. They deserved it. That was all.

A while later, Anastasia got up and wandered into the bathroom. She undressed

and caught sight of the bruises scattered across her skin. The memories crashed

over her, threatening to break her.

She bit her lip, ran a bath as hot as she could stand, and slid into the water. She

scrubbed at her skin until it turned red and raw, but she couldn't feel anything. Not

pain, not relief.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get clean. She was too filthy.

Anastasia started to cry, silent tears slipping down her cheeks and dripping into

the bath, disappearing without a trace.

Blood began to trickle, swirling into the water and tinting it red.

Something about that color—so bright, so final—made her heart race. A strange,

desperate smile flickered on her lips.

without thinking, she opened a

slipped the blade free.

wouldn't have

closed her eyes, lifting the blade to her wrist.

hammered on the door. Herman's voice

"Anastasia! Anastasia, what are

in!"

couldn't stay away, even when she pushed

rightly so.

and panic took over. He grabbed the

force

door swung

there, wrapped tight in a towel,

no need to

Herman's voice—his fear—that pulled her back from

the closet

clothes.

The razor blade glinted in

the tub was tinged

to end

dropped him to his knees. He rushed into

and

over him. If he hadn't

think about it.

pulled her into

a complete loss.

billion-dollar deals without flinching,

the idea

couldn't breathe.

have me. And the

can't leave

I'm going with you."

as he held

over.

her—that was

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