As I came out of the shower, my mother-in-law sneered, “Water can’t wash away who

As the engine purred to life, I could feel the heat of the car’s interior combating the chill that had seeped into my bones. Damian’s presence was always formidable, but today, it felt like a fortress. I clutched his jacket tightly, its warmth and the scent of familiar cologne anchoring me to the moment.

Inside the car, the world outside felt distant, almost surreal. The stark contrast between the chilly humiliation of a moment ago and the comforting enclosure of the car was head-spinning. I took a deep breath, steadying myself, preparing for whatever was to come.

We drove in silence, the cityscape blurring past, until Damian spoke, his voice low but firm. “You deserve better than this, Lena. I’ve watched you bend over backward to fit into their world, but today that ends.”