pte

Point

t like the man who once lay beside me. I reach out to the other side of the bed, but Ma

the floor like the little dignity that i had left, I was bro

my sanity. It is gradually making me insane. I pull the sheets tightly around my body, my body trembling, not from the cold, but fr

ho did as she was told, hoping that somehow doing the right thing would lead to happiness. But there's no happiness here, only sorrow.

efuse to let him see how deeply he's hurt me. I won't give him the power to break me any more than he already has. But dee

mble as I touch the bruises already forming on my arms, my thighs. Each mark i

lost my virginity in th

ving behind only the faint scent of whiskey. He must have gotten up be

s weak and unsteady. My fingers brush against my torn gown, and I let it fall from my grasp.

into this sham called marriage, if only she

o the cold glass, wishing I could break it into pieces, wishing I could escape. For years, I believed in fairy tales. I believed that

s a m

d last night. But when I turn, I see no one. Just the empty hall way, calling me to leave, to run. But where would

air from the window. It's not fair. Non

pawn in my Dad, stepmom and my step sister Sara

ised. I almost don't recognize the woman staring back at me. My blonde hair, once neatly pinned, is a mess, my face looks much older than it did just ye

my bruises. My body feels like it's been through a war, and maybe it has. But it wasn't a war I chose,

. My heart leaps into my throat as I whirl around, but it's jus

room." Her voice is soft, but I can feel the tension beneath her ca

the door clicking shut behind her. Max wants to see me. I feel my st

where near him. But what choice do I have? In t

ill not break. Not again. He may have taken everything from me last n

t aches, but I keep moving. I have to. I have to find a way to survive this. I step

The air feels thick with tension, and the further I walk, the harder it becomes to

to face him, to hear whatever

ss of whiskey in his hand, despite the early hour. His eyes lift to meet mine, and for a brief moment, I see something there somethin

ys, his voice cold a

espond. The silence stretches between the both of us, the silence

s again, breaking

ngs to discu