FLAWLESS

CHAPTER 35

Shanelle POV

I had just arrived at my penthouse building, exhausted from the day's events. The weight of the world seemed to press down on my shoulders as I fumbled through my bag for the keys. With a lazy motion, I inserted the key into the lock and pushed open the door, closing it behind me with a sigh of relief.

But as I looked up, my breath caught in my throat. I froze, shocked to see Beatrice, Kayleen, Vincent, and Dan all standing in my living room, their eyes fixed on me. My gaze locked with Vincent's, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He was actually here, in my very own house.

I walked over to them, dropped my bag on the floor, and folded my arms, glaring straight at Vincent. 

"What the hell is going on?" I demanded, turning to Beatrice. Before she had the chance to answer, I raised my voice again, frustration seeping into my words. 

"Why are they here?"

Vincent spoke up, his voice filled with an unusual seriousness. 

"I just needed to talk, Shanelle," he said softly, his eyes pleading. 

But I wasn't interested. I didn't want to listen. "Get out. Both of you."

Kayleen suddenly intervenes, her voice stern and unwavering. 

"Take a seat, Shanelle. We all need to talk to you about those regular pills you've been taking."

I chuckled, unable to believe what I was hearing. 

"What? Why are you even asking me about that? You know very well those pills are for my panic attacks!" I insisted.

 But Beatrice shook her head, a look of disappointment on her face. 

"No, Shanelle. We know you've been misusing them. We also know that you bought them from a drug dealer."

I felt cornered, tears welled up in my eyes as I confessed, my voice quivering with vulnerability. 

"Fine! Yes I've been using the pills. But what would you all know? You don't have panic attacks like I do. You don't understand what it's like to deal with this stupid disorder, and the suffocating pressure I face every day."

Vincent's voice cut through the tension, filled with concern. 

"We want to help you, Shanelle. You need to stop taking those pills. Maybe seek therapy, find healthier ways to cope. They may have helped with your panic attacks, but they're affecting your mental state."

I felt the tears welling up, overwhelmed by their questioning, their intrusion into my private struggles. I glared at Vincent, my voice shaking with emotion. 

"I don't want anything to do with you. I don't want your help, especially not from you," I spat out.

I could see the hurt in his eyes, but I couldn't bring myself to care. I continued, my words laced with bitterness. 

"You're part of the reason why I'm taking those pills, to try and move on from what you did to me." Each syllable felt like a dagger, the pain searing through my chest.

But as I spoke, something strange happened. All eyes turned to me as a warm liquid began to trickle from my nose.  

"Your nose is bleeding!" Kayleen exclaimed.

Acting on instinct, I swiftly grabbed tissues from the coffee table, pressing them against my nose. My gaze never left Vincent's face as I faced him once more, tears mingling with the blood. We were all silent, no one uttering a word, the weight of the moment hanging heavy in the air.

Seizing the opportunity, I grabbed my bag from the floor, my resolve solidifying within me. Without saying a word, I walked out of the room leaving them behind hoping to get away once again.