OR

real. That I would eventually wake up and all of this would be a distant memory, belonging only in the dream world. But, m

to challenge her mother’s authority. I dared not. I simply nodded, dragging my limbs off from the floor to the kitchen. Jenny met me

owned him, one would think he wasn't my dad as well. And I was again reminded of my place in the family–nothing but an outlet for their anger and frustrations.

rompted my feet to move, and I took out the broom by the side of the kitchen door. As soon as I was a

ion. My stepmother and Jenny didn’t make it any easier for me, they dished out orders, expecting it to be carried out t

soft snore escaping my lips. I was instantly awoken by something wet dripping on my

ave an empty dish for breakfast,” she

es when she spoke. It was an unspoken rule. When she left, my heart sunk,

ng at the entrance, clad in the jeans and plain black t-shirt he’d been taken in. He looked older, rougher, but every bit the man I knew. I

the smile disappeared when his gaze landed on me. I tried to shrug it off as nothing, but during dinner, a

fork clanking against the plate filled the awkward silence and I looked dow

ords that shattered my heart and wrecked my soul

y chest, weighing my shoulders. What did he mean I wouldn’t be staying here anymore? Was he

her throat, raising

d is if she works for Dominique,” my

ed into a frown. I don’t know Dominique, but I already dislike him. Why did he want to tak

No one gave a fuck about me–no one except my mom. But, she’d given up fighting when the claws of cancer gripped her too tig

as close to tears and fighting hard to keep them at bay.

f he would change his mind. But, the look he gave me was stern as if he’d decided on

y cheek just made me sit, transfixed, and a tear leaked from the

. You caused all this