, his face was a thundercloud. He didn't ask how I was feeling. H
dow, the familiar streets of our neighborhood looking foreig
ith lights. Laughter and music spilled out from the open
joy. The living room was filled with balloons and streamers. A la
ight beside her, his arm possessively around her waist. He was beaming, looking healthier and happier than I
ad forgotten. Or, more likely, they just hadn't cared. In the excitement of Chlo
d unsteady in my simple clothes, a ghost at their feast. Chloe' s perfect smile fal
d, reaching out to hug me. "We
from a snake. "Don't touch me," I said, my voice low and
e's eyes widened in fake h
at's wrong is your attitude! Chloe comes home, and this
d. "You mean like forgetting my birthday? Or letting me giv
s face. He looked at me, a f
is demanded. "You're not making any sense. Y
my voice getting stronger. I looked directly at Alex. "Tell them, Al
gasp went thr
kly, forcing a laugh. "The anesth
the last of my control
towards me, his hand raised. "How dare you cause a s
I whis
face, but to grab my arm, his fingers digging into the sensitive s
ect." He looked around wildly, his eyes landing on a leather belt
e. For a moment, he hesitated. But then he looked at Chloe, at her wide, fearful eyes, and his
ny lie. He was not just a bystander. He
cry of pain was torn from my throat. I stumbled, but he held me fast. The second blow landed on my legs. I collapsed to the floor, curling into a ball a
ing pain. Mr. Davis threw the belt aside, breathing heavily. "Let that be a less
lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, every muscle screamin
went too far." He placed the gift on my nig
e. I saw right through it. This was just another act, another manipulation. He w
few more minutes, trying to get a response, before giving up and leaving the room. The silence he left behind was a relief. My body ached, my hea
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