Emily had never been just one person.
Her mind was a house of many rooms, each holding a different piece of her—a fragment that had split away when the world became too much to bear.
Her system had formed from necessity, born out of the abuse she endured as a child. The bruises, the fear, the nights of pain—her mind had found a way to survive when her body could not.
**Emily's System:**
- **Demi** – The Protector, fearless and blunt, shielding Emily from harm.
- **Eli** – The Gatekeeper, managing the system from within.
- **Luna** – The Caregiver, offering comfort when needed.
- **Ash** – The Anger, holding the rage Emily couldn't express.
- **Nia** – The Social One, blending in and charming others.
- **Remy** – The Logical One, calculating and detached.
- **Ivy** – The Fear, holding the worst of the memories.
- **Mira** – The Memory Keeper, carrying the truth Emily avoids.
- **Echo** – The Unknown, surfacing only in moments of despair.
Each one had a purpose, a role in keeping her alive. But as she grew older, it became harder to hide. The switches became more noticeable, the gaps in memory harder to explain.
And now, with Ryan watching her so closely, she feared that her carefully maintained illusion of normalcy was beginning to crack.
Because if he saw the truth—would he still want her?
Or would he become just another person who saw her as broken?