Chapter 4
1 dumped Adam the next day. He agreed so fast.
I stayed in the hospital for a few more days after that. My mother and dindars payer barbared to var
But my father rushed back from his business trip in Chicago. He came straight from the airport, carrying, kia krwione, eyes wild with wery
When he saw me–bandaged and broken his face rrumpled. He reached out to stroke my hair, his hand trembling,
“Jesus, Emma. I’m so sorry, baby girl.” His voice broke, “I failed you. I should’ve been here. I just… I don’t know what to do art you mother anymore.”
Tears spilled down his weathered face, but I couldn’t blame him.
He was the only one in my family who care about me, who hadn’t written me off like yesterday’s trash. Wherever Mons went into one of her rages. Dad was the human shield between her fists and my face.
But they were still married. He couldn’t exactly throw his wife in jail without destroying the whole family. The most he could do was play defense, and even that was limited since his job kept him on the road most weeks.
Still, knowing he cared gave me something to live for.
Over the years, I’d thought about running away like a thousand times. But Dad’s love was the anchor that kept me from drifting away completely.
Thinking about that damn video, I grabbed his hand like it was a lifeline.
“Dad, can you promise me something?
He gave me that warm smile that always made everything seem less horrible.
“Anything, kiddo.”
I locked eyes with him, desperate. “Please don’t ever watch whatever video Mom has on her phone. Please don’t leave me too.”
His brow furrowed. “What video?”
“Just promise me you won’t watch it!”
“Okay, okay! Scout’s honor. I won’t watch any videos.”
“Do you swear you’ll always love me, Dad?”
“Emma, honey, I’ll love you till the day I die. That’s non–negotiable.”
I believed him. I really did. As long as he never saw that video, I’d still have one person in this world who didn’t want me dead.
He also promised to set me up in my own apartment–somewhere Mom wouldn’t know about–so I could finally escape.
I agreed, feeling hopeful for the first time in forever.
But I never imagined that my father–who had looked me in the eye and promised–would flip the script in less than 24 hours.
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