“What happened, Penelope?Where are you hurt?”
I shake my head, wince, and squeeze him tighter.
He was gone again, but he never left.I pushed him away.He stayed.
Something deep within my soul cracks.All the misery I’ve suffered and all the self-hatred I’ve harbored crumble into ash.They still sit in nasty heaps within me, but they aren’t enough to stop me from reaching for what I want anymore.
I don’t deserve Sebastian, but I don’t care.I want him too much to give him up.
It’s purely selfish, but I no longer care.I’ve made myself too invisible for too long.The hours I spent locked in my room after Cathy ripped open old wounds were a level of hell I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
I want to give Sebastian everything.
Everything.Even the truth.
The horrible, terrifying truth.
I lift my head and squint.
Everything is too bright, loud, and open.I’m too exposed even with Sebastian’s arms wrapped around me.I tuck my face back to his chest.
“Did you hit your head?”he asks.
“No.My chin.”
My whisper echoes in my head.
“Let me see, Penelope,” he coaxes.
I sigh and lift my face.Hetsksand cups the side of my face in his hand.
“Open your eyes, pipsqueak,” he rumbles.
I squint.When the light doesn’t cause piercing pain, I open them further.
“Still as gorgeous as ever, sweet pea,” he murmurs as he brushes his thumb along my jawline.
My breath hitches.His lopsided smirk holds too much worry.
I blink.
The left side of his face is covered with abrasions.I grab him and tilt his head this way and that as I inspect the fresh wounds.By the raised welts surrounding the scrapes, he must’ve hit a rough surface hard enough to bruise his entire cheek.
My heart pounds in my chest and reverberates throughout my skull.
“What did you do?”
I can’t stop my words from slurring together.
His worry grows, but he offers me a rueful half-smile.
“I deserved it.”
I scowl at his response.
“Big men fall hardest,” Mr.Carter grunts.
I swing stinging eyes at the wizened old man.
