Believing or Not

Previously

…She let the wave wash over her, recognizing this as the necessary, painful baptism following the destruction of her illusion. The facade had shattered, and now she had to deal with the sharp, cold pieces left behind. This was the crash landing. This was the valley after the peak deception. This was the true beginning of the reckoning, and it was devastatingly lonely. But for the first time in months, she knew, with chilling certainty, that she was alone in reality, and that was infinitely better than being adored in a beautifully rendered lie.