Chapter 49

Then, I turn and peer at my own skin in its radiant beauty, creamy skin without a flaw. My hands are slender and smooth, along with my feet.

I slide off the bed, walking to a mirror. For a minute, I watch my body in all its elegance, its perfection.

I hate this body, for it has brought me much sorrow. Beauty has a terrible, terrible price.

"Berenice, are you okay?"

James comes to stand beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder. He must have spied the small, almost invisible tear brimming in my eyes.

"Yes, I'm fine," I bluff, slowly pushing him away, "never been better."

"That's a lie," he says softly.

There is a pause while I just stare at myself. Trying to believe the person in the mirror is truly me.

After a few more seconds, James can't take it.

"Go talk to Caleb about it," he points towards the doorway.