Chapter Eighteen

"Ilaira.... I'll ask again. What are these?"

Alessandro inquires sternly and softly at the same time. I can't say anything as my body freezes and tears flow once more from my eyes. Little sniffles escaping from my chest.

I feel his hand reach for my arm. I flinch at the memory of him dragging me to the car earlier, but he doesn't. He traces over the pink scars on my arms, the lightest touch I've ever felt on my skin. His breath is coming out in quick, uneven bursts compared to my now slower breathing. I feel his hands move to my other arm rolling up the other sleeve revealing the rest of my scars, his breathing coming to a halt.

I close my eyes, not wanting to see his disgusted expression. My scars are unsightly and stand out against my pale skin. I try to hold back my sobs as they try to escape my chest. But one seems to escape, my sniffles intrrupting the silence in the room.

This time, I feel his hands come up, unbuttoning the chunky cardigan and lightly removing it from my should