Brand

m. Austin' s bedroom. The drapes, the furniture, the scent of expensive wood and faint cologne – it was all exactly a

here, his eyes flitting away from mine the moment they met. A flicker of som

e flat, devoid of emotion. "She needs to rest. You'll brin

who had just tried to drown me? The humiliation was a raw wound. I wanted to s

ice hardening, "it always gets you into

me, that it made me strong. Now it was a flaw. A reason for his cruelty. I felt a chill sp

y. The porridge steamed, innocent and bland. I walke

a smirk playing on her lips before she twisted it into a pained grimace. "Oh, Alexis. It's so sweet of you to bring me

t an accident. She deliberately knocked the bowl, sending scalding hot porridge splashing over my

How could you?! You tried to hurt me! My baby!" She c

rage. He rushed to Eva' s side, his hands gently che

nting a trembling finger at me. "She's so jeal

s!" he roared, his voice laced with venom. "H

"I didn't," I said, my voice barel

rm, his fingers digging into my raw skin. He shoved me out of the room, slamming the door

leaned against the cold wall, my head swimming. I peeled back my sleeve. The burn was angry, already festering. I could hea

elcoming the sharp pain. It was a distraction, a shield against the deeper