Bella's POV
I jerked awake from a horrific dream.
Lying still, I stared up at the ceiling with steady eyes, refusing to shed tears or throw a tantrum.
Yet behind my deceptively serene expression, fury was building like a gathering tempest.
Penny slipped in quietly and found me gazing vacantly upward. She crept closer.
"Bella? Bella?" she whispered, calling my name twice.
I remained silent. Panicking, Penny moved to check my breathing, but I caught her wrist.
My fingers were ice-cold, and my stare cut like frozen daggers.
One look at me made Penny shiver.
"I'm okay," I finally spoke, surprised by how scratchy and rough I sounded.
Penny's eyes filled with tears as she watched me. "Bella, if it hurts, just cry. Don't keep it all inside," she said, gently pulling me upright.
My eyes drifted to the bare table.
"Bella, are you maybe hungry?" Penny asked carefully.
