Zora’s POV
The bathroom was a place of seclusion, the steamy spray of hot water enveloping me from the world. I turned the tap on with shaking hands, and the rush of water felt like a physical punishment. My body was shaking more than just the coldness of wet skin, and I longed for the shower to soothe me. I hoped it would do more than just wash away the physical signs of my time with Damon - his touch was still there, like a ghost. I was furious with myself for allowing him to manipulate my emotions in this way. I felt manipulated and like a pawn in a shady game. My shoulders were heaving under the weight of my values being compromised. I had always considered myself to be a resilient individual who would resist temptation, yet now here I was, feeling weak and exposed.
I let the steam f
