A frustrated sigh slips past my lips. Did I do that? The memory is hazy, but fragments begin creeping back—me panicking…maybe throwing my phone? I don’t know. Everything feels cloudy, like I’m trying to remember through thick fog. I can’t afford a new one, so this one will have to do for now.
With shaky hands, I open the text messages, and the second I see the unknown number, the anger hits me like a freight train. I go through the messages one by one, each word igniting a rage I’ve never felt before. It brings everything back—the memories ofmy father, of the helplessness I felt watching him tear my mom down.
That’s exactly what this feels like. The same powerlessness, the same fear of being controlled, of being too small to do anything about it.
My blood boils beneath my skin, and it takes everything in me not to throw the phone across the room for a second time.
I willnotbe her. I won’t let the same thing happen to me.
Standing up straighter, the fury inside steadies me. Weakness is not an option. I won’t be the broken woman who watches helplessly anymore.
I change into a pair of shorts, a tank top, and tie my hair up. I need to move. I need to focus. My mind is racing, and maybe the gym will be the place where I can get some control back.
I head downstairs, and I hear the soft sounds of weights clanking from the gym. Miles must be down there. Part of me doesn’t want to face him, but another part of me wants to see him, even if it’s to tell him exactly what’s been running through my head.
I spot him the second I open the door. His back is heavily inked, a massive tattoo of a Hannya mask surrounded by flowers stretching across his skin. Every time he pulls the bar down, the mask moves with him in a beautiful rhythm that hypnotizes me.
I can’t stop looking at him and for a second, I forget why I came down here. He looks so good with sweat glistening on his skin, his body powerful and toned. Suddenly, he lets go of the weights, the sound of them clanging to the floor snapping me out of my daze.
He turns, finally noticing me standing there.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” he asks, his voice full of worry as he walks towards me. I stay rooted in place, my chest tight, the anger still bubbling inside me.
“I feel okay,” I say, my voice steady but colder than I expect. “But I need to talk to you, Miles.”
He steps closer, the concern deepening in his eyes. I force myself to stay steady as I speak, but my words come out sharper than I intended.
“Earlier, when you grabbed me, it triggered something. It made me remember—” I clean my throat, the image of my father making me want to puke. “My dad, and how he used to control my mom. And I saw it in you. The same power, the same control. I can’t be that person. I can’t let myself turn into her.”
I watch his face fall as he processes what I just said.
He opens his mouth to speak, but I hold up my hand, cutting him off. “I don’t need an apology. I need you to promise me this won’t happen again. That you won’t do that to me. Ever.”
His eyes darken with guilt and he reaches for me, but I take a step back, needing space. “Please, Miles. This ends now. I can’t be around someone who’s like him. You need to understand that.”
“I swear to god I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he whispers, his voice thick with regret. “I would never hurt you, Maddie. You have to believe that.”
His words are full of pain, and something inside me softens. The anger starts to fade, replaced by a need for understanding. I step forward, taking his hands in mine, looking him in the eye. I need to know the truth.
“Will you do something for me?” I ask, my voice steady despite the storm inside.
His eyes harden with determination. “Anything, baby. What do you need?”
I take a deep breath, steadying myself for what I’m about to demand. “Tell me what the pills are for.”
25.Miles
Maddie’s wordsare echoing loud in my head and I don’t know how to respond. She’s watching me, waiting for me to give her an answer, but I can’t. I know I’m just going to disappoint her. My hands start to shake and I can feel my palms getting sweaty. I have to be honest with her, but what if she leaves me? I can’t lose her too.
I swallow nervously before answering her. “It’s nothing, Princess. Just pain medication.”
Pain medication? What the fuck would I need pain medication for? That’s honestly the best answer I could come up with?
She doesn’t believe me. I can see it in her eyes. She’s not saying anything, just staring at me like she’s waiting for me to stop lying to her and tell her the fucking truth. And yet, all I can do is stand here like a fucking coward and stand ten toes down on what I’ve said.
Finally she says something, and it’s exactly what I was expecting.
“I saw you with Chase. Whatever you’re doing, it needs to stop. I’ll help you if you need me to, but you can’t kill yourself on prescription drugs, Miles. I need you here. Completely here.”
