Nancy was never the type to shove or throw punches—that would’ve drawn attention. She was far more calculated. Her words were sharp and precise, slicing deep without leaving a bruise anyone else could notice.
Teachers adored her. My parents told me to brush it off. But tuning out Nancy was like trying to sleep with a mosquito whining beside your ear—she never let up.
By the time I reached high school, I had mastered blending into the background. I ate lunch alone, kept quiet, and counted down the days to graduation like a prisoner counting marks on a cell wall.
Then I escaped—moved two states away for college, built a career, and created a life where Nancy was just a distant memory. For years, she rarely crossed my mind.
Until my brother’s call changed everything.
“Guess what?” His voice was bright, excited. “I’m engaged!”
“That’s amazing!” I grinned, stretching out on my couch. “Who’s the lucky girl?”
There was a pause. Just a beat too long
