Soon the restroom door closed and silence returned.
While I sat there, staring at the floor.
They said I was weak and unaware while everyone actually had known the truth…
The shame burned through my body stronger than grief.
I was not only a victim. I was entertainment. My entire life had become gossip for the wolves who worked for me. They laughed about my tragedy. They waited to see when I would finally break.
Slowly I stood up, wiping my tears with a rough paper towel then walked to the mirror.
My eyes were red but no tears remained.
The woman staring back at me did not look weak anymore. She looked dangerous.
I did not return to Jareth’s office. I did not scream. I just walked out of the restroom with my back straight and my head high.
When I passed the reception desk, Celene looked at me with panic.
“Tell Jareth I came by,” I said calmly. My voice carried no emotion. “Tell him I left the plans. And tell him to enjoy his meeting.”
Then I left the tower and stepped into the bright afternoon sun.
I called for a carriage and gave the driver an address I had searched weeks ago, back when I believed my worries were only suspicion.