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“I’m not the one who’s hurt.” Her voice was hoarse, and her gaze flicked to my arms and back. The top of my back was on full display, my wet hair hanging over one side of my shoulder and down my front.
Not only did I have handprint-shaped bruises on my arms, but my back was scarred.
Putting on a practiced smile, I released her and stepped back. “I was in an accident.” I hoped she wouldn’t push and ask what accident caused crisscross scars. “It’s okay, really. I can barely feel them anymore.”
But what good would it do to tell Althea that my father was a sadistic bastard? It was in the past, and I was moving on. No need to dwell on things I couldn’t change. “Onward and upward” was my new motto, after all.
She studied my face, then nodded. I knew she didn’t believe me from the frown on her face and her wobbly smile. “If you ever want to talk, I’m here. Promise to come to us if you need anything. We’re family now. And we take care of our own.”
Impulsively—something that was very uncharacteristic for me—I embraced her in a tight hug. She returned the gesture. “Thank you, Althea.”
We released each other, and she looked at the ground, clearing her throat. “I’ll let you finish getting ready for bed. Good night, honey.”
“Night.”
Once the door snapped shut behind her, I sank onto the bed. Despite having to marry someone who clearly had no interest in me, my life seemed to have changed for the better.
I’d finally gained the family I’d always longed for.
4
VANNA
“How do you take your coffee?”
“Black, please.”
Althea’s head snapped up. “Black? Not even a little creamer?”
“To be honest, I’ve never tried creamer.” Or sugar in my coffee. But that would sound too pathetic if I said it out loud. I’d never had anything but black coffee. Creamer and sugar meant unnecessary calories.
Althea held out her own mug. “Here, try this one. I haven’t had a sip yet.”
I did as instructed, loving the caramel taste. “It’s delicious.”
“Keep it. I’ll make another one.”
We were sitting at one end of the huge dining room table, having breakfast. I was wearing my own clothes, thanks to Althea sending someone to bring the bags I’d packed and left in my old room to the Olysses’s house.
She held up a plate full of the fluffiest eggs I’d ever tasted. “More scrambled eggs?”
I’d already had two servings but debated a third. A glance at my plate confirmed I still had to get through a chocolate croissant and about half a pound of bacon. “I’m okay for now. Thank you.”
I was already full but didn’t want to seem rude by loading my plate up with so much food and then not eating it. Besides, if I were at home, I wouldn’t be allowed to leave the table until I’d eaten everything on my plate.
Which had been no problem there since my servings were usually small. But getting to choose what to eat was overwhelming, and I’d taken way too much.
Nim made her way into the room with a shopping bag. Grinning at me, she held it out. “This is for you. If you need help to set it up, let me know.”
Surprised, I peeked inside the bag, spotting a brand-new phone, still in its case. Looking up at Althea, I snapped my gaping mouth shut again. “Thank you so much for buying me a phone.”
Uh-oh, there’s a wobble in my voice.
“You said you lost yours. And a girl can’t be without her phone. How would we schedule our girl time?” She finished doctoring her own coffee and took a sip. “We could go for a swim later. I’m free all day. Just let me know what you want to do.”
The tears refused to be suppressed any longer. I turned away from Althea to avoid her seeing them roll down my face. I’d perfected the art of crying silently. It had come in handy many times, but never more so than now.
Her voice softened. “Are you okay, dear?”
