Chapter 14: The Lessons We're Taught - Valeria

I race out of the kitchen and run straight out the front door. My feet stumble down the steps and I drop to my knees skidding across the grass. I can feel the burn coming from my knees, but it’s barely noticeable compared to the way my head is spinning and the fact I’m struggling to take in air. I claw at my chest and unzip the back of my corset in hopes I can breathe better, but it doesn’t help.

I wanted her to be lying. I needed it to be a lie. But it doesn’t matter how much I wanted it; I knew she was telling the truth. You don’t come up with a lie that in-depth on the spot, but more than that, it was all over her face. Those beautiful warm brown eyes held so much dark truth in them, and I swear it looked like it was hurting her to say anything that would hurt me. She doesn’t even know me, my family held her captive, my brother tortured her, and I was going to kill her. Yet even though I’m held here against my will, she hasn’t done anything but treat me with kindness. Kindness I d