I tried to keep it together on the way home. I bit the inside of my cheek so hard it tasted like blood, clenched my fists until the nails dug crescent moons into my palms. But the moment we stepped inside and Naina placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, I broke.

The sobs came without warning…raw and uncontrollable. My shoulder jerked violently beneath her touch, each breath dragging itself out of my chest like it was being wrenched from somewhere deep and hollow.