"I'm sorry, it seems my love has faded. We are through."
That short, piercing sentence continued to replay, stinging Zee's ears. The breakup declaration from David, her boyfriend, delivered over the phone three days ago, felt like a slap that kept repeating.
Zee had locked herself in her room for three days. Her face was swollen, and the tracks of relentless tears stained her cheeks. Around her, snack wrappers littered the floor, serving as silent witnesses to her solitude.
All this time, whenever Zee felt pressured, snacking was her only escape. That instant comfort now left a bitter aftertaste. Her body had swollen uncontrollably, and ironically, that physical change was the excuse David used to leave her.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Maria flinched in shock, her face turned even paler. "M-my apologies, Sir," she replied trembling. She bowed her head as low as possible before speaking again, "This way... Mistress Celine."
