cheek a dull throb, my mind a blank, roaring void. When we pulled into the driveway, Robe

f the car,

of this nightmare would unfold inside. But they didn't follow me.

mach c

rflowing. My clothes, my posters, my few personal belongings. And on top o

I whispered, though I

said, her voice devoid of any emotion. "We will

The words felt foreign, im

oks, the ones from the past three years. Not just the binder from the library, but all of them. Thousands of hours

half, the sound of tearing paper and snapping cardboard cutting through the quiet afternoon air.

ed forward, trying to save them, but he shoved m

wn," he

ry analyses, my complex math proofs. All of it, gone. A bo

er arms. "We will not waste another cent on a fraud. You're on your

d bleeding, my mind reeling. This could

a smug, satisfied smirk on his face. He walked p

scattered around my feet, then at m

said, his voice a soft, mocking caress. "Ts

out his wallet. He took out a crisp tw

said. "Fo

breath. He wasn't just kicking me when I was down, he w

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