Jade stood motionless in the small, dimly lit bathroom stall, her heart pounding in her chest.

And Jade was just left alone, humiliated.

Slowly, her hands trembled as she pushed herself up from the cold floor. They had done it in a bathroom, he paid her well and it was consensual, sure, but it wasn’t like it didn’t make her feel like shit.

Jade didn’t look back as she exited the bathroom, the hallway of the mall spinning around her in a blur. Her mind was empty—without thinking, she left, her steps were quick, almost frantic, as she made her way to the trailer home. The one place she kept to herself, hidden even from Jacob.

Once inside, she collapsed onto the bed, her hands, trembling, instinctively went to her lips, peeling at the dry skin until it bled.

Her thoughts wandered in a haze, but then, the clock on the wall caught her attention. She had a client to meet, the same one she had been visiting for ages, Jacob—she hated it, hated herself for it, but it was the only way she could survive.

She forced herself to leave, her body heavy and reluctant.

Arriving at the apartment complex, she stood outside for a moment, hesitating. Nobody would see her here. She had made sure of that. But someone was in her peripheral vision. She turned, her heart dropping.

It was Jacob’s sibling, walking slowly towards her, Jade froze, her breath catching in her throat. They were too close now. She couldn’t let them see her. Her hands went to her lips again, picking at the skin, not even noticing the blood.

And before she knew it, they were face to face. Her heart was racing. Jade’s makeup, thick and heavy, couldn’t hide the exhaustion on her face, nor the desperation in her eyes. She pulled her hoodie tighter, but the shorts—far too short, far too revealing—were a sharp contrast.

“Please. I know I look disgusting.” Jade’s voice was barely a whisper, tinged with embarrassment as she looked away, unable to meet their gaze. She could feel the burn of humiliation, the rawness in her chest.