NE

ng before a bucket of freezing water drenched me, soaki

sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. Before I could fully wipe the water off my face, he kicked my bed, sending me tu

to get up, quickly. Without a second thought, I pushed myself

er came next. Mark was bad enough, but Jimmy, the older of my stepbrothers, w

rand of my wet hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering far too long. My skin crawled at his touch,

soft. He didn't pull his hand away, his fingers brushing a

added, his voice dropping an octa

The tears escaped despite my efforts, but I wiped them away furiou

s of something amber in her hand. Even from across the room, I could smell the alcohol. Her sharp

for like a useless statue?

stepped forward, keepin

u look like something the cat dragged in. Your father m

er hadn't left me with her because he di

or sizing up its prey. "You're nothing but a burden. A filthy, good-for-nothin

tayed silent. Any response would only make

toward the sink. "And when you're done, you'll serve dinner tonight. T

h that I stumbled into the counter. The pain in m

she returned to her papers. "Get to work.

he tears threatened to fall again. But I wouldn't cry, not w

st a year, I just need t

*

f I had been repeatedly slammed against a wall. The pain was relentless, and I had no

or you. You want money for your filthy ailments? Just stay away so you don't pass anythin

ifferent today. The usual shouting echoed around the house, but I was allowed to eat in my room inst

ry without my stepmother's consent and began to read silently. Some of

ding that I didn't feel the shift in the atmosphere until I sensed his presence. I looked up to see

roached. Just then, the doorbell rang, but it didn't deter him.

n holding back spilled down my cheeks as he pushed me onto the bed. I attempted to esca

oks like someone's in a Feisty mood today," he remarked, his hand starting to glide toward

y to leap off me as if I were on fire. My body trembled, not just from what