Page 78 of The Art of Ruin

I freeze, glancing down at my lap in horror, the movement causing a gush of warm red liquid between my legs.

Of course.

Of course now.

Fuck my life.

I glance toward the bathroom door, then back toward a sleeping Adriano.

I could probably make it without waking him if I’m very careful.

It’s only a few steps. I can do this.

Slowly, carefully, I push the blanket back and swing my legs over the side of the bed, pausing immediately when the shift in position pulls at everything that already hurts. I sit there for a moment, breathing through it, waiting for the wave to pass.

I can do this.

I’ve done this before, plenty of times.

I press my hand lightly against the mattress and push myself upright, squeezing my thighs together to stop any more blood from seeping past the pad.

The room tilts as I rise.

Not a lot, just enough that I have to steady myself, one hand bracing against the bedside table as I wait for it to settle.

And then to make matters worse.

“Casey.”

His voice is rough with sleep, but alert almost instantly.

I close my eyes briefly. Of course he wakes up now.

“I’m fine,” I say automatically, even though I haven’t moved.

That earns me a quiet exhale from across the room, the sound of him shifting forward in the chair.

“You’re far from fine,” he replies, already on his feet.

I don’t look at him as he crosses the room, but I feel the change in the space when he gets closer, the awareness of him immediate in a way that makes it harder to pretend I have this under control.

“I just—” I start, then stop, because I’m not entirely sure how to finish that sentence without sounding weaker.God, I fucking hate this.

He waits patiently, not interrupting or rushing me.

Just stands there, close enough that I can feel his attention without needing to look at him.

“I need the bathroom,” I say finally, the words quieter than I’d intended.

There’s a brief pause.

Not judgment.

Not surprise.

Just a shift in understanding.

“Alright,” he says, his tone settling into something steady and practical. “Take your time. I’m here if you need me.”