shford

or to my room, heart pounding so violently it felt like it would burst. I swallowed hard, my phone in my hand, eyes fixed forward as my ch

my gaze straight ahead, as if I couldn't see them. I walked to the stairs

thoughts every night? Who realized I was always pretending to be okay? In that ex

A heavy weight pressed down on my chest. I walked toward the door

back. You can't

ly-everyth

Sharp. Furious. It echoed through

don't dream of coming back. Yo

slap. I froze. But

voice-mocking, cold

ll just run off with that weak little whore who's always p

th cruel amusement. Disgust filled his gaze. Beside him, Jessica stood with tear-filled eyes,

. Shaking his head, sil

epped toward Ashford. Stood right in front of him. Met his furiou

-to remember exactly why I was leaving. Even if I died out there, I wo

edge of breaking-but steady. I didn

r you see me as your daughter or not-it doesn't matter anymore. I never felt like I was. And I know-

low, rough, strained-as he

ush me. Go bac

my shoulder and lunged for the door. My eyes burned, and a tear sli

Closed it behind me fast-just as Carl

followed like a storm. They burned as they

my coat pocket. I adjusted the bag o

feet led me to a small park I knew. I sat on a bench, pulled out my phone again. My hand trembled. I

hudded so loud it drowned everything

d, I whispered

ax

me fast-worr

ng? What happened

barely ma

couldn't stay in that house anymor

en he spoke quickly,

? Where are you? Tel

Especially not my father. No. No

ugh. My heart can't hate th

d happen to them, I cried all night, t

was hard for them-growi

as harde

hate... is how they b

t's

it's

hout me. I wish them well. I ho

hear from them again. But

ir

in my mind. I stopped thinking.

ven remem

ng straight to him. As if my

nto his arms like someone who

pped tightl

first. The w

ds soothing my shaking back, his bre

It's going

ence. Tha

ll I n

till trembling. His eyes-f

ra... Please.

per lit my tears

anyone else." I whispered, u

apologizing... f

was gent

ays be he

ly hated him. Why

the kind of peace they

wants me to

ready to bre

out now-they'

pered,

o now? No hom

own soon-you can stay in his room after that. And i

t him, los

e'd always be

h heavy sobs, my v

ve money for a hotel?

et confidence, thoug

ot paid recently. It's enough for

d the car

ts drowne

hey wouldn't

ne c

out my

So many. F

me back.

stupid.

you? I'll c

a. Don't make m

lled with

r I finally left... di

one fina

last

nd I meant it. What you all

mother died. I was just

treated me l

ng-finally... even

f yourself.

dby

ff. Rested my head

ed a

g in s

storms in

alone

art... st