"Bella" D

his voice echoing in the holl

round. "I di

e to the cold marble floor. My protest was a u

her tool of brutal discipline. The first lash tore through the skin on my back. A sha

demanded, his face

choked out, the word

was a fresh wave of fire, tearing

issed, his face close to mi

tstretched, pleading for them to stop

simply ordered her hauled from the r

their words became a nightmarish chorus

No water. No medical care. The pain was a living en

aughing with her. Promising her the world. Every sound was

m my room. They were in the living room, planning a yacht trip for Halei

sk of saccharine concern. She rushed to my side, grab

th tears. "Please," she whimpered to the men. "I f

apped at me. "She's your sister.

he salt in the air was agony on

l descended, the wind tipping the grill over, sendi

human shield around Haleigh, protecting her

ss. Flames erupted, engulfing my legs. I l

e too busy fussing over a sin

flames with his jacket and his own body, his actions a

r even lo