Chapter 5 That night , I filled the bathtub to the brim with scalding water , watching steam rise in thick clouds . I desperately wanted to wash away every trace of the past twenty four hours , as if enough hot water could somehow cleanse my soul along with my skin . But as I undressed in front of the bathroom mirror , the purple blue marks scattered across my skin told their own story . Love bites on my neck , fingerprint bruises on my hips each one a reminder I couldnt erase . The bruises werent ready to fade , just like the memories . Last night came flooding back uninvited the burning heat of his skin against mine , his passionate breathing against my ear , the way hed whispered my name in the dark . The ghost of his touch still lingered everywhere , like phantom hands tracing patterns across my body . The warmth of his chest pressed against my back , his fingers intertwined with mine memories I wanted to forget but couldnt seem to shake . I shook my head violently , grabbing the sides of the sink until my knuckles turned white , trying to shake away these fragments of madness . These moments that meant everything to me and nothing to him . Grabbing my roughest loofah , I scrubbed and scrubbed until my skin turned angry red . My arms , my neck , my chest anywhere his lips had been . As if I could somehow erase what had become the most humiliating memory of my life . The physical pain felt almost good , like maybe it could overshadow the ache in my chest . The raw , stinging pain kept me tossing and turning all night . Every position hurt my skin too sensitive , my body remembering touches I was trying to forget . Aiden didnt text , of course . For the first time in six years , since we got our first iPhones in middle school , there was no goodnight message . No inside joke about his calculus homework . No stupid TikTok he thought would make me laugh . No heart emoji that I used to analyze for hours . Just deafening silence . Better this way . It had to end sometime . Might as well start detoxing tonight . I drifted in and out of consciousness until dawn approached , finally falling into an uneasy sleep somewhere between counting sheep and counting mistakes . Just as morning light began filtering through my curtains , I felt what seemed like a gentle kiss on my forehead , so real it startled me from my dreams . For a moment , my heart stopped , thinking he might have used his spare key to check on me like he sometimes did before school . Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.