" freedom where are you cause i need freedom too "
< g i s e l l e >
I hadn't been myself since that night with Terrence. The moment I'd walked out of his apartment, the weight of what we'd done settled over me like a heavy fog. It wasn't guilt exactly, but something darker, harder to name—a sense of displacement, like I'd betrayed some unspoken part of myself.
The office hadn't seen much of me lately. I'd called in sick twice this week, claiming migraines that didn't exist. Even when I showed up, I barely lasted the day before slipping out early, citing another excuse to avoid the prying eyes of my coworkers. My phone buzzed with texts from Kelly , marcus since I ask him to leave the day after my date with Terrence he's staying at his mom for now and even Terrence , but I couldn't bring myself to answer.
I'd shut everyone out .
The truth was, I felt hollow. The thrill I'd felt with Terrence had been replaced by an ache I couldn't shake. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face, heard his voice whispering my name. It was too much, too overwhelming, and I didn't know how to process it.
So, I did the only thing I could think of: I went to see my dad.
It had been months since I'd visited him. He lived a quiet life now, a far cry from the boisterous presence he used to be when Mom was still around. As I stepped into his house, the familiar scent of his aftershave and the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee wrapped around me like a warm hug.
"Giselle, sweetheart," he greeted me, his face lighting up with a rare smile. He pulled me into a tight embrace, and for the first time in days, I felt a sliver of comfort.
"Hey, Daddy ," I murmured, holding onto him a little longer than usual.
He pulled back, his sharp eyes studying me. "You don't look so good, baby . What's going on?"
I shrugged, not ready to dive into everything just yet. "Just tired, I guess. Work's been a lot lately."
He nodded, leading me to the couch. "I figured. You've always taken on too much, Giselle. It's one of your best qualities—and your worst."
I smiled faintly, but it didn't reach my eyes.
We sat in silence for a while, the kind that wasn't uncomfortable but still heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Dad broke it.
"You know, you've been through a lot these past few months," he said, his tone gentle. "Between the Carter case and everything else, it's no wonder you're feeling worn out."
I stiffened at the mention of Corey. It wasn't that I didn't want to talk about the case—it was just that I didn't know where to start.
"It's not just the trial," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's... everything. Work, relationships, life. It all feels like too much sometimes."
Dad nodded thoughtfully, his expression softening. "You've always carried more than your fair share, Giselle. But you don't have to do it alone. You know that, right?"
I looked away, my throat tightening. The truth was, I didn't know that. Or maybe I just didn't believe it.
"I guess," I said finally, though the words felt hollow.
He reached out, placing a hand on mine. "You don't have to have all the answers right now, sweetheart. Just take it one step at a time. And if you ever need to talk, I'm here."
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them away, nodding. "Thanks, Daddy."
He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before leaning back in his chair. "So, tell me—how's the Carter trial coming along? I heard there's talk of a retrial."
