Twice burnt, Once Loved

BROOK

ant to be un

oft golden streaks through my worn-out curtains. My limbs ached with exh

ackson's

he man who made me

e. I poured every ounce of affection into it, added strawberries and whipped cream the way he liked, and wrapped the

k me an hour to write because m

my heart feel safe.

ging the card

up my phone

espo

ied

l no

he was still sleeping. Or maybe

Can I come see you today? I

utes. N

my chest felt tight. Somethin

ly drawing conclusions. I refus

ise him. After all, he loved su

rtment. My heart fluttered with nervous antici

oticed the door

ile f

alled softly,

le

ir of boxers were scattered like an afterthought. It was a woman's d

red lace bra

ing p

e cake box until the edges ca

en I h

an

hmic. From

y knew. But my body moved-slow

air felt like a

pen the be

they

ntwined with a person who should

lo

teps

ice a twisted melody. "Yes,

the door,

-raw, shaking, loud eno

e such

y f

e drained of color. "Susan?! What the

. She turned to me with

napologetic, radiant in her cruelty

own his chest. "It was only a matter of time

him. Deep.

hrow something. Tear

ust sto

tte

san... I liked you, okay? But you were always too innocent. Too

" I wh

id, not even meeting my e

acked in t

rned

the cold street. My vision blurred. My chest burned. My heart-

oney for a ride-I'd spen

n I got

nightmare wa

rl?!" Stella's shrill vo

tepm

moment I stepped in. My body

abbed at my skull, and a wave of nausea hit

a bucket of i

ou worthle

Stepmother..."

l

bit into

reakfast isn't ready for me and my daughter

I whispered, s

there in silence, dr

d. Her warm smile met my eyes, and I whispered through

oked. Serve

ut my dutie

something insid

's room, I forced a smil

kind. "Morning, sweethe

hugged him, hidi

serve," he murmured, his hand brushing m

you too,

mean

more than an

, I made a pro

crying for those

don loyalty in th

onger hide

uld

a tribute to the girl I once was-b

.. they'll all regret