Page 110 of When a Soul Cries

I hated whatever he saw.

I hated that he could see me at all.

When Rome looked back at Aunt Trice, his jaw had tightened. “Whatever happened, you ain’t putting your hands on her.”

“You don’t know that bitch,” Aunt Trice snapped, glaring past him at me.

Rome’s expression remained hard. “Don’t need to.”

He took another step.

Aunt Trice finally backed up.

She cursed under her breath before pointing at me one last time. “You better ask her what she did.”

Rome’s voice stayed flat as he stared her down. “Go.”

This time she did.

I didn’t wait.

I turned and started walking.

“Sol,” Rome called after me, concern still underneath the firmness in his voice.

I kept going.

“Sol,” he called again, his footsteps starting behind me.

“I’m fine,” I threw back without turning around.

Rome’s footsteps followed behind me.

“You keep saying that shit like it’s gonna make it true,” he said as he closed the distance between us.

“Leave me alone, Rome,” I pleaded, refusing to look at him.

My voice cracked.

Damn it.

I walked faster.

A cold raindrop hit my cheek.

Then another.

Within seconds, rain started pouring.

Halo cried harder.

I closed my eyes.

Of course.

Of fucking course.

I kept walking.