After a while, my best friend rushed in. I quickly wiped the tears from my face. Her soothing voice filled the room with her familiar chatter:

"I just got the doctor to prescribe you a scar removal cream from abroad. I heard it's amazing. Even if it doesn't completely vanish, it'll at least fade quite a bit. You'll thank me later—I'm like your fairy godmother."

I suddenly threw myself into her arms.

At that moment, reality hit me like a lightning bolt. He used an excuse to trap me in the ruins. He wasn't my partner, my equal. He was nothing more than a cowardly shadow of someone who never truly cared. I could no longer remain defeated amidst those ruins, letting the sand and debris bury me.

I needed to move on. To find my way to the green pastures, into the daylight. I had to live well for those who love me. I had to live well for myself.