Safe to Fall Apart

DAPHNE

I stood in front of the mirror, my fingers tugging at the sleeves of the simple dress Bri had picked out for me. My face looked pale. My eyes were puffy and tired, like I hadn’t slept properly in days—which was true. I hadn’t. I ran my hands slowly down my sides, trying to smooth the dress over my belly. The baby.

I stared at myself harder.

I didn’t even recognize who I was anymore.

And jus