Ella was still lying motionless on her bed when dawn came.

Burying her face into Ella’s hands, Zoe murmured, “Wake up, Ella! No one’s going to be mean to you ever again. You can live a good life. There’s no need to worry about people finding out about your past and looking down on you! You can even have your own babies if you want.

“Wake up, please? I beg you! Wake up and show me that my sacrifices are worth it!”

Waiting endlessly without knowing if things would get better was a soul-crushing