“Yes, sir,” I panted as he hit me three more times. The belt dug into old scars, reopening wounds. The warm trickle of blood flowed, causing my shirt to stick to me.
“Now get this mess cleaned up, or we’ll do this again.”
My father left me in the kitchen and stomped back upstairs. I fell to the floor, crying tears of shame and defeat. I knew I’d never get out of this mess, this house. Even if I could, where would I go?
“You’re looking really good, sis,” Peyton said once I hit the accept button on the iPad. My tablet was sitting on my table, my journal spread out before me.
“I feel good,” I smiled. I really did. After my last therapy session, I was determined to change not only my outlook on life, but to better myself, too. I was tired of being the weak little girl everyone saw. I wanted to do something that would not only lift myself up, but also show the world that I was as strong as some people thought. “I started taking self-defense classes, and I think it’s helped more than anything else has so far. I’ve started to jog with a friend most days.”
“You have no clue how happy I am that you’re getting out and enjoying life, Scarlett. I was worried this journey wouldn’t turn out well for you, but every time I talk to you, it’s proving that you’re doing the right thing.” This was the first time we were video chatting, but I had texted him a few times. Him and a few others. I really was trying, and I hope it showed.
“I couldn’t do it if I didn’t have the support. Great friends and family.” Well, the family that wanted to be a part of it all. Caesar had yet to call since I last saw him, and Mom claimed she told him details of our phone calls, but I still felt like I would never live up to what he wanted from me. Even then, we really didn’t talk all that much. The last few weeks, I was overcoming that issue. It didn’t matter what Caesar thought of me, or what he wanted with my life.
This wasmy lifeto live, and no one else’s.
“Good,” Peyton smiled. “When do you plan to return home?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” I shrugged. “I like it here.”
I glanced at my phone as it buzzed on the table. I held in the sigh as the first words popped up.
You still aren’t strong enough
“Oh, okay.” He seemed upset with my answer. I couldn’t lie to him and tell him I’d be home at the end of the month. I wasn’t ready to be thrown back into the crazy family. Yes, I missed each and every one of them, but what I was doing here was what I wanted to do.
“I’m not ready to come home yet, okay?” I said, lowering my voice. “I know everyone wants me back, but I don’t know if I am. I don’t want the stress of being someone I’m not. I don’t want to have to deal with everyone looking at me like I’m going to break.”
“No one will,” he interrupted.
“Yes, they will. Mom still watches what she says to me on the phone. Dominic will hardly even talk to me, and our dad is ignoring me.” I didn’t mention the time Dominic came to visit me, but since then, it’s felt forced to talk to him through texting. For once, everyone was leaving me alone when I now wanted the complete opposite.
“That’s not true.”
“Did you know that Caesar has only called me once while I’ve been here? And he only came to the therapy session because Ace made him.”
“It goes both ways,” Dominic said, popping into the screen. “You know how to call.”
“Says the one person I have called who seems to not have time to talk, only text this past two weeks.”
“I’ve been busy,” Dominic replied, his eyes clouding with secrets.
“He has been,” Peyton said.
“Don’t bother trying to make an excuse,” I said before taking a deep breath. “It doesn’t matter.” I didn’t want to fight. They could do whatever they wanted while I figured out my life.
“Everything matters, Scarlett,” Dominic said. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to talk. But I promise, I’ll explain when I’m able to.”
“It’s fine,” I said.
“No, it’s not,” Dominic sighed. “Shit.” He ran a hand down his face before looking at me. “I’d rather not go into what I’ve been doing with your brother sitting next to me.”
“At least you two are sitting next to each other,” I muttered.
“We’re trying to get along, for your sake,” Peyton said. “Plus, when we’ve been working on the same job for the past few weeks, we kind of have no other choice.”
“Scarlett!” Sawyer said, entering into my apartment without knocking, again.
“Do you not lock your door?” Dominic asked, worry clouding his voice.
