Prologue

Protecting her own mental health is the only thing important to Gansey. After a childhood of extreme stress so intense that her teeth are practically carved and ruined from grinding them due to anxiety, Gansey is now a grown adult who is free to make her own choices.

Twenty four years old, and a lonely hairstylist, Gansey has created a daily routine for herself so that no one and nothing can damage her mental state again. It doesn't matter to her how extreme her actions are, so long as her mind does not get hurt.

So, when twenty-eight year old Maddie, who just so happens to be a nurse, decides to accept Gansey as a temporary roommate while she gets back on her feet from a nasty divorce from an abusive man, she is appalled by just how Gansey lives her life. Maddie can't stand how Gansey treats her own body, and the longer they live together, the more she can't help but to get involved in Gansey's life.

Gansey, not used to anyone being interested or concerned for her, refuses to open up to Maddie. She's certain befriending anyone only leads to mental catastrophe, and it is the one thing she refuses to fall victim to.

But she doesn't consider the possibility that Maddie has issues of her own, and her issues may just ruin Gansey's routine, and mental state for good.