FLAWLESS

CHAPTER 27

Shanelle's POV

I sat at the table, absently picking around with my light breakfast, lacking the appetite to eat. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a gentle glow over the room. But even its warmth couldn't penetrate the darkness that clouded my mind. Thoughts of yesterday afternoon haunted me, and the residual anxiety still lingered within.

Suddenly, Kayleen walked into the room, her face etched with worry. She came and sat down next to me, placing her iPad in front of me. Reluctantly, I tore my gaze away from my breakfast as she exclaimed; 

"Nelle, you have to see this!" 

On the screen was a magazine article with my picture prominently displayed. The headline screamed, "Shanelle's Pharmacy Run: A Dark Twist."

The article described in detail my visit to the pharmacy, capturing me in an unguarded moment. The paparazzi had seized the opportunity to twist the truth, accusing me of taking drugs. It felt like a cruel knife piercing through my already fragile heart. I pushed the iPad away and reached for my coffee, hoping to find solace in its bitter warmth.

Kayleen's concerned eyes never left me. 

"What were you doing at the pharmacy yesterday, Nelle?" she asked gently, her voice tinged with worry. 

"And were you aware that you were being followed by the paparazzi?"

I shook my head, my voice barely a whisper. 

"No, I didn't notice."

Kayleen's gaze grew more intense. 

"Why are you taking those pills again, Nelle? You know how badly they affect you. I thought you had stopped."

I sighed, weariness weighing heavily upon me. 

"I can't explain it, Kay. Those pills... they're the only things that help me sleep better these days. I have a panic disorder, and I need them desperately to cope. And Vincent..." My voice trailed off, tears welling in my eyes.

"Why can't I get him out of my head? Every moment, every thought... he's there, tormenting me. These pills are the only way I can get rid of him from my head, if only for a while," I confessed, my voice shaking with anger and frustration. I felt the tears streaming down my face, my heart breaking in the process.

"I can't go to work or even step out of the house without relying on those pills. They're my lifeline, Kay," I continued my voice a mere whisper. 

"You have no idea how hard it is to face this alone, to battle the demons in my mind day after day."

Kayleen stared at me, her tears shimmering in her eyes. Slowly, she stood up and wrapped her arms around me, drawing me into a comforting embrace. 

She whispered words caressed my ears, "It's okay, Nelle. I'm here for you. I'll help you in any way I can to get through this."

I broke down in the middle of my kitchen, my tears soaking into Kayleen's shoulder. She held me tightly, offering solace in her warm embrace. As I cried, the weight of my struggles felt lighter, knowing that I didn't have to face them alone anymore. 

"If you're thinking of a way to help me get past this, then please... get me those pills. They're my lifeline, Kay."

Kayleen gently pulled away and looked into my eyes, her voice filled with determination. 

"I promise you, Nelle, we'll find a way to help you. Taking those pills may provide temporary relief, but that's not the easy way out and you know that already. We'll face this together, no matter how long it takes."

Her words pierced through the haze of despair, and a glimmer of hope began to flicker within me. I nodded, finding solace in her unwavering support. At that moment, I knew that I wasn't alone anymore, and that gave me the strength to believe that brighter days would eventually find their way back to me.