Chapter 3

I froze as I stood in the middle of the road. The car stopped just a few inches away from my knees.

“Do you want to get killed?” A man shouted as he came out of the car. “Who runs into the middle of the road?”

I steadied myself and crossed over to the pedestrian path. Adrenaline was still surging through me. I tried hard to steady my raging heartbeat as I found a seat by the bus stop.

How could he even think of forcing himself on me? I had to tell my mother about this as soon as I returned home. I doubted if she would believe me, but I had to let her know the dog that she got married to.

My dreams of college were buried in the mud, and it was only a miracle that could help me right now.

I worked in a coffee shop and recently I resigned due to the small pay. I had to start looking for a new job if I ever wanted to achieve my college goals, but I would end up saving for ages before I get a semester's fees.

An hour passed since I remained on that bench. I was occupied with a lot of thoughts to even notice. I finally went home. I had to expose my stepfather. That sleazy fool.

As I opened the door, I met my mother in the living room. She looked at me as though she was expecting me. My eyes drifted to the corner. There was a box of my clothes standing there.

“Mom, you wouldn't believe what your husband did. He…” My voice trailed off as she cut me short.

“He told me everything, and don't ever call me mom. I regret the day I cried you in my womb” Claire raised her voice, throwing a coffee mug in my direction. I ducked, missing the mug by an inch as it flew over my head.

“He already told you?” I asked in a shocked manner.

“Take your things and get out of my house. I can't have you seducing my husband.”

“What? Seducing? Me?” I stuttered, still trying to process her statement. “He's the one who tried raping me.”

Angela was already bringing more of my belongings from my room. All of them were dumped on the floor.

“You're shameless.” She said and spat in my face, like literally spat in my face.

“Mom, I promise you your husband is lying. He's the one who forced himself on me. I managed to fight him off.” I was already beginning to break down with tears.

“Get out of my sight.” Mother shouted one more time. Her claws and canines began to get visible, proving that she was extremely angry.

Angela grabbed me roughly, pushing me out through the door. I didn't try to fight with her. When I was finally outside, she threw my bags at me, then slammed the door in my face.

I blinked my eyes repeatedly and hot tears flowed freely down my face. Why didn't I just die at birth? I had nowhere to go. I hated myself, my body and the life that was chosen for me.

I gathered all the items that were thrown at me. My laptop was there, and the only picture I had of my dad was also there. Maybe one day, I would find him and he would treat me better than my mom did.

I dragged the bag with me, heading to the only place I knew I could get help. As I walked out of our house, I saw my stepfather's car from afar. His gaze lingered at me for a moment before I looked away. There was no need to confront him. Maybe I was even safer leaving his house.

Sandra answered the door as soon as I knocked. I came all the way to her place as I didn't know anywhere else to go.

“What happened?” She asked as she looked at my big bags. I crashed into her arms for an embrace, and began a fresh round of shedding tears.

“They kicked me out. Christian tried to rape me, and my mom threw me out.” I stuttered, my voice clouded with tears.

“That bastard,” Sandra hissed. She ushered me into the house. It was just a small apartment.

“I really don't want to discomfort you, but I don't have anywhere to go.”

“You can stay for as long as you wish. I really don't mind.” Sandra tried to comfort me.

I bawled my eyes out till they became crimson red.

“Let me make tea for you. It would calm your nerves.” Sandra said and left for the kitchen.

There was a knife on the table, close to where I sat on the couch.

“I'd just cut off this excess skin,” I sobbed, drawing the knife closer to me. “I hate my body.” If I carved away the excess flesh, maybe Joey would finally stop hating me. Maybe mom would smile at me for once, and Adrian may come back.

“Trust me, your body isn't the reason your family hates you. Those people are just idiots.” Sandra returned and placed a mug containing hot brewing tea in front of me.

“If only I was slimmer,” I muttered before sipping the tea.

“What of Adrian? Have you told him about this?”

I paused midway, and dropped the cup on the table. Sandra wasn't informed about our breakup.

“We ended things.”

Sandra's eyes widened, obviously shocked by the news. “But things were going on well between both of you.”

I shook my head and took a deep breath, then proceeded to tell her everything that happened on his birthday, leaving no details out of it.

“Men are jerks.” Sandra retorted. “That's why I'm single.”

My phone chimed. There was one new email and for the first time since the week began, I smiled. Something had finally gone right.