y picturing his new life, free of Emily, flus

ng up. "Jessica, pack your thin

ca be

knot in my stomach. The

ach one a specialist in shaping me. Languages, music, debate, advanced

th cold disapproval, with punishments designed to break my spirit. Isolation

formance. The way my hands would shake. The way Victoria would

rible, consuming hatred. She saw the accolades, the expensive clothes, the trips. S

e rage in her eyes, the sharp p

n. I would not let my mother suf

fe had to b

re coming to observe Jessica, and, as a formality, me. The

oment Victoria wou

erfection, resilience, a spark

they didn't see it

a track and field practice. I was a decen

ed." It wasn't a dramatic fall, b

w than from actual pain,

er. My P.E. teache

ter, her face etched with worry as

d, trying to sound brave

two stern-looking women in sharp suits – I was on

ut the sharp intelligence I' d displayed in my previous life.

msy. Prone to injury?" she murmured to her

. She answered their questions brightly, showed off her (mediocre

eyes, the more "fl

rf

, a flicker of annoyance in his eye

down, feigning

ction. Step one, complete. Jessica w

njoy the