Joan’s pov“She will be fine,” a more muscular voice said. It sounded close enough that I could say it was in the same room I was in. “When she wakes up, I would like to talk to her before her parents; can that be arranged?""Yes, ma’am, you can talk to her when she wakes up, or whenever you please."My feathery lashes batted against each other, slowly opening my eyes. I met the harsh ray of light trying to blind me, but soon enough it was obstructed by a lady who was familiar in all senses: her pained smile and blond hair, her grace and aura—everything made my body jitter in fear and uncertainty.“How are you feeling, Joan?” She placed her hands on my head, then stared at the doctor, who now approached with those doctor thingies; they hung on their necks, and he placed them on my chest. He asked some questions, which I deemed dumb, but when he was done, he left me to Isaac’s mother.“I came to apologise," she said, her lips barely stretching successfully in a fake smile like she alw

Frederick POVJoan wouldn’t talk to me; it’s been three months already, and it felt like a century; nothing seems to be making sense anymore; I barely laughed genuinely in three months; Sophia had been on my neck too about Joan. She would constantly visit to make sure I retained my four-foot rule.She even had me recite my rules before I left her. I never looked at any woman when I was with her; I was to compliment her every chance I got, and I was told to smile whenever we were in public places. She recently developed the habit of having a foursome and giving everyone a number and position every week. With all this going on, I was the only one on her social media.And anytime I disobeyed her, I had to deal with her constant nagging and complaining about this and that. She would refer it to Joan and explain how she saved me from being charged with a felony, but I was tired of everything. I just wanted to be free, and when I saw the email of admission, I couldn’t be any happier to see

Joan’s POVA week passed like the snap of a finger. Fred didn’t get to visit as frequently; his time spent was rationed, while on the other hand, Jones wasn’t allowed in the building. After his repulsive trigger, he was banned from seeing me or mom, which meant for a week I was trigger-free, so Fred basically brought food and fed mom and me.He would feed mom, then come back to me. While feeding me, he never spoke about what his father did, but he said sorry in so many ways, which made me feel empty and guilty. I was a person at fault, and yes, he was right. I felt selfish because if I had agreed with Jones offers, which I was still considering, maybe everyone would be happy.In one week, I spent it checking out schools over here to see if I would find one that was close enough for a cab drive. I tried to see the bright side, but there was none. I was on fire if I decided to stay, and he would keep on using me till I had nothing to give anymore.It wasn’t because of the money he gave

Joan’s povI was expecting the worst out of my decision because Jones kept staring at me while we ate. Till I was done, I feared I would wake up to a blood bath, so I chose to do the unimaginable, which was putting myself before anyone, just like mom had said.My body was fidgeting when I went back to my room. I didn’t sleep at night, and every little noise seemed like a threat. I was petrified and too certain that the calmness was uncanny. I didn't sleep all night until the next morning, when everything was bright and beautiful.So I chose to do some checking on my family, but they were alright. I heard mom singing in her bathroom, and Fred was just mowing the lawn outside. Everything seemed well, and it looked too bizarre. I wasn’t used to so much peace, not after exposing electricity to water.I expected everyone to be fidgeting with fright, like I was, but no one was running, so for a moment I felt I was safe, until Jones walked down from the room, our eyes locked, and immediately

Joan’s pov“Go out with him, girl; you are hot on campus; Max is so hot! I wish Fred would ask me out,” Maisy said, clapping her hands as she jumped up and down. She wouldn’t stop talking about how she found Fred attractive, and it disgusted me, but I held down my disgust with a smiling face."So you are going out with him tonight, right?” She asked. Daisy held my hair, sharing in my eye, “You must not turn him down, Bonita. Papi is looking fire; they don’t make them that way anymore," she said in her Mexican ascent, which made me laugh.I remembered what Fred said about him; maybe what he said was from a position of utter jealousy, and at that point I really wished he would just leave me alone so I could try other things, but he wouldn't. He had been buzzing my phone nonstop about how Max was not a good dude and I should stay away from guys for now. He constantly used Isaac as a starting point.‘Remember the last time you chose a man for yourself; don’t do this to yourself anymore.I