Stella's POV

The sound of the key turning in the lock felt too loud in the apartment's silence. I pushed the door open with my shoulder, the grocery bags with my untouched lunch still hanging from my hand, and shut it with my foot. The white walls and cheap furniture welcomed me with their usual indifference. Everything was the same as always, except me.

I felt drained. Like a thick, heavy exhaustion clung to my body, my head, my shoulders. All I wanted was somewhere to collapse.

"Jesus, S