جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 130

Vera's POVI pushed through the crowd filling the hallway until I reached the front door. I couldn't stay inside that house another minute.The cool air hit my skin the moment I stepped outside, and I fought hard to keep the tears from spilling over. Liam had a hold on me that scared me. I hadn't cried like this in a long time, not even close.I walked down the porch steps. Behind me, the party was still loud and alive, but out here, I felt like a wreck barely holding myself together. My legs carried me across the lawn until I reached the side of the house, where a wooden fence marked the line between this yard and Anita's.I let my back rest against the wall, then slid down slowly until I hit the ground. I pulled my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them, resting my head on my arms."I'm not going to cry." I whispered to myself. "Don't let a man do this to you. He's just your stepbrother, that's all he is."But we've been intimate more times than I can count.The thought h

Vera's POVWhile I was still trying to decide what to do, Ted walked through the door with a big nylon bag full of stuff in his hand. A frown crossed his face the moment he saw us."What are you doing, big guy?" He asked.The huge man turned to look at Ted, Anita still trapped in his arms."Help, Ted! What's wrong with this guy?" Anita screamed, her voice cracking with panic."Anita, calm down." Ted dropped the nylon bag on the floor and walked toward them, his eyes moving from Anita to the huge man. "That's my girlfriend. Put her down and stop scaring the girls."Surprisingly, the big guy dropped her.Ted caught her fast, his arm wrapping around her waist to stop her from falling. Her chest rose and fell quickly, her eyes wide and locked on the huge man like she still didn't trust him.Once she settled, Ted turned to her. "This is Brown, my cousin."My brows pulled together. "Your cousin is a freak." I muttered."He does this for fun." Ted said, glancing at Brown with a tired look."

Vera's POV"Switch on the light, Anita." I said in a low voice."There's no light. You were the one complaining about that a minute ago." Her words rushed out as she held her phone up, the flashlight aimed straight at the dark hallway.I swallowed hard.The light pointing at the figure suddenly cut off."Shit! My phone just died." Anita cussed.I stared into the darkness, barely making out the shape of the figure still standing a few steps away from us."Why didn't you charge your phone?" My voice came out strained."Just turn on yours!""My hands are already shaking." I muttered, digging into my pocket for my phone. My fingers scrambled across the screen, trying to find the flashlight, but before I could tap it, light flooded the whole house."It's so bright!" I let go of Anita and covered my eyes with my palm, blinking hard behind my fingers before slowly lowering my hand."Mom!" Anita whispered.My eyes adjusted to the light. The figure in the hallway turned out to be Anita's mothe

Vera's POVI shook my head fast, even though my heart was already betraying me.You saw them with your own eyes, Vera. I reminded myself, squeezing my fingers together."Vera…" Liam called."Let's just go home, Liam." I cut him off quickly, trying to make my voice sound unmoved even though my heart was racing underneath it.I turned my face toward the window, refusing to look at him."I really do mean what I said, baby." His voice came out soft.I almost turned to look at him. Almost. But I stopped myself in time.The car went quiet again. I heard him breathe in deep and let it out slow. He leaned back against his seat and rested one hand on the wheel. Neither of us said a word.I kept my eyes glued to the road, watching the lights of other cars slide past. My fingers twisted together on my lap, and his words kept echoing in my head. I really do love you, Vera. I swallowed hard, not knowing what to do with those words.Just as I was about to turn my head toward him, the car started

Vera's POVMy eyes stayed locked on my dance teacher. I quickly sat up straight, rubbing my face with both hands."I was just tired." I said, trying to sound casual. "Didn't feel like going to painting class."Miss Rachael tilted her head, studying me. "So you decided to sleep here instead?"I scratched the side of my head. "Yes."I braced myself for a scolding, but instead she walked further into the classroom and dropped the folder in her hand onto a desk. "Come with me."I blinked. "Where?""The dance studio."I pointed at myself. "Me?""Yes, you." She picked her folder back up and headed for the door. "I'm practicing a routine for my next class, and I need someone to run it with."I grabbed my bag fast. "You're not mad that I skipped my class?"She paused at the door and glanced back. "Should I be?"I shook my head. "No.""Then come on." She said, resuming walking.A small smile crept onto my face. "Okay."I followed her out, feeling strangely lighter for no clear reason. Maybe da