Chapter 2
The silence that followed screamed louder than any shout could.
Lila stared at me, eyes wide and wet, waiting for me to yell, to accuse her like Mom had.
I looked from her battered legs straight at my mother.
Her face had gone pale. Her lips pressed into a thin, tight line.
“What is this?” My voice came out rough, barely above a whisper.
Mom crossed her arms over her chest. “She’s clumsy. Trips over everything. Don’t let her fool you.”
“Clumsy?” I stepped between them, shielding Lila with my body. “These look like kicks. Like hits.”
Lila let out a shaky breath. Her fingers curled around my wrist.
“She told me you’d never believe me,” she whispered. “She said if I told anyone, she’d make you leave me.”
My heart felt like it was tearing in two.
Mom’s voice rose, sharp and shrill. “I did it for you! She’s weak! She can’t take care of you or that baby!”
“For me?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You hurt her? The mother of my child?”
“I’m protecting my son!” She stepped forward, but I held up a hand to stop her.
“Get out,” I said.
Her eyes went wide. “Excuse me? This is my house too!”
“I said get out. Pack your things. Stay somewhere else tonight. I can’t look at you right now.”
For a long moment, we just stared at each other.
Then her face twisted into a scowl. She spun on her heel and stormed toward the guest room.
I sank back down beside Lila. I wrapped my arms around her gently, careful not to touch her bruises.
“I’m so sorry,” I choked out. “I’m so, so sorry I didn’t see it sooner.”
May you like
She buried her face against my shoulder and cried. Not quiet sobs—loud, broken weeping that tore me apart.
I held her tighter. I promised myself I would never let anyone hurt her again. Not her. Not our baby. Not even my own mother.
