023~ CRAVING

Leah,

I knelt beside Liam, who was still sprawled on the floor where Aiden left him. Tears pricked my eyes as I stared down at his bloody face. His cracked lips, broken nose, and swollen bruise under his eye stared back at me. This was all my fault.

I gently dabbed a warm towel against his bruise. He hissed sharply, his hand swatting mine away harshly.

"Goddamit, Leah! That hurts!" He spat irritated.

"I am sorry," I whispered, blinking back tears as I reached out again, more careful this time.

His jaw clenched as he snapped, "Stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?" I asked, confused.

"Like some pitiful abandoned kid," he growled. "I hate that look of pity in your eyes, Leah."

"I am sorry," I apologized.

He slammed his fist against the wall, the sudden sound making me flinch. "That bastard," he gritted, shutting his eyes tight. "What makes him think he can ruin my childhood and then come back sixteen years later to do the same thing."

He turned his angry gaze toward me. "This is