Chapter 99

In my frustration and tears, I longed to reach out and take his hand, to convey my understanding that his mistakes did not define me, nor were they the cause of my brokenness. Yet, in spite of the urging impulse to ignore my own fear, I froze.

Xavier remained in silence, his focus distant, his eyes hollow, while his expression was twisted in a mix of horror and anger. Each moment that passed fueled my silent plea: Please don't blame yourself, Xavier. I hoped he could somehow hear my unspoken words as he seemed trapped in a realm far removed from mine.

With every mile the Jeep traversed, my thoughts gradually shed their panic, but it was then that I turned my ire upon myself. I thought you had moved beyond being a victim... Where is that bold and indomitable Aadita now? I chastised myself internally. I felt everything I thought I had managed to build over the past weeks dissolve into a gnawing emptiness, tendrils of hopelessness swirling within me, tightening around