, his face was a thundercloud. He didn't ask how I was feeling. H

dow, the familiar streets of our neighborhood looking foreig

ith lights. Laughter and music spilled out from the open

joy. The living room was filled with balloons and streamers. A la

ight beside her, his arm possessively around her waist. He was beaming, looking healthier and happier than I

ad forgotten. Or, more likely, they just hadn't cared. In the excitement of Chlo

d unsteady in my simple clothes, a ghost at their feast. Chloe' s perfect smile fal

d, reaching out to hug me. "We

from a snake. "Don't touch me," I said, my voice low and

e's eyes widened in fake h

at's wrong is your attitude! Chloe comes home, and this

d. "You mean like forgetting my birthday? Or letting me giv

s face. He looked at me, a f

is demanded. "You're not making any sense. Y

my voice getting stronger. I looked directly at Alex. "Tell them, Al

gasp went thr

kly, forcing a laugh. "The anesth

the last of my control

towards me, his hand raised. "How dare you cause a s

I whis

face, but to grab my arm, his fingers digging into the sensitive s

ect." He looked around wildly, his eyes landing on a leather belt

e. For a moment, he hesitated. But then he looked at Chloe, at her wide, fearful eyes, and his

ny lie. He was not just a bystander. He

cry of pain was torn from my throat. I stumbled, but he held me fast. The second blow landed on my legs. I collapsed to the floor, curling into a ball a

ing pain. Mr. Davis threw the belt aside, breathing heavily. "Let that be a less

lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, every muscle screamin

went too far." He placed the gift on my nig

e. I saw right through it. This was just another act, another manipulation. He w

few more minutes, trying to get a response, before giving up and leaving the room. The silence he left behind was a relief. My body ached, my hea