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.

opened a drawer,

slipped the blade free.

one cut, and she wouldn't have to face herself

her eyes, lifting the blade to

hammered on the door. Herman's voice

and frantic: "Anastasia! Anastasia, what are you doing? I'm

in!"

she pushed him out.

rightly so.

nothing from inside, and panic took over. He grabbed the

to force it

the door

tight in a towel, her face blank.

no need to

voice—his fear—that pulled her back from

for the closet and changing into

clothes.

razor blade

the tub was

tried to

nearly dropped him to his knees.

her wrist and checking for

him. If he hadn't come in

think about it.

pulled her into a

complete

billion-dollar deals without flinching,

the idea of losing

couldn't breathe.

me. And

you can't leave us. If

going with you."

held her, tears

over.

her—that was his greatest

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