Chapter 4
dumped Adam the next day. He agreed so fast
I stayed in the hospital for a few more days after that. My mother and sisters never bothered to visit.||
my Esther rushed back from his business trip in Chicage. He came straight from the airport, still carrying his briefcase, eyes wild with worry!
When he saw the–bandaged and broken–his face crumpled. He reached out to stroke my hair, his hand trembling
your mother anymore.
Trius, Emma. I’m so sorry, baby girl.” This voice broke. 1 failed you, I should’ve been here. I just.. I don’t know what to do about yo
Tears spilled dinem his weathered fare, but I coulda blame him.]
He was the only one in my family who care about me, who had written off like yesterday’s trash. Whenever Mom went into one of her rages, Dad was the human shield between her fists and my face
But they were still married. He couldn’t exactly throw his wife in all without destroying the whole family. The most he could do was play defense, and even that was limited since his job kept him on the road most weeks.]]
spill, knowing he cared gave me something to live for
the years. I’d thought about running away
sy like a thousand times. But Dad’s love was the anchor that kept me from drifting away completely.
Thinking about that dam video, 1 grabbed his hand like it was a lifelin
Dad, can you promise me
me something?
He gave me that warm smile that always made everything seem less horrible.]
“Anything, kiddo.”
I locked eyes w
with him, desperate. “Please don’t ever watch whatever viden Mom has on her phone. Please don’t leave me too.”
Itis brow furrowed. “What video?”
Just promise me you won’t watch in
“Okay, okay! Scouts hour. I won’t watch any videos“]
Tio nu wear you’ll always love me, Dar
Imma, honey. I love yo
you till the day I die. That’s non–negotiable”
Ielieved him. I really did. As long as he ever si that video, I’d still have one person in this weld who didn’t want me dead
He also promised to get an up an my own apartment–somewhere Mum wouldn’t know about–so I could finally escape.
1 agreed feeling hopeful for the first time in forever ||
But I never imagined that my father who had looked me in t
the eye and promised–would flip the script in less than 24 hours ||
