I dragged myself out of bed the next morning, my eyes still puffy from another night of silent crying. The mirror in our small bathroom showed a girl I barely recognized tired eyes, pale skin, and a defeated slump in my shoulders. I stared at my reflection for a long moment, the weight of everything pressing down on me.

Enough, I told myself. No more trouble. No more heartbreak. No more hoping for things that only hurt me.

I made a promise right there in front of the mirror. From today on, I would avoid any drama. I would keep my head down, focus on graduating, and protect what little...