I was terrified all the time.

I couldn't go on like this. I was even afraid of my own shadow.

I heard a noise downstairs and I knew Allan was home. He was probably searching the cabinets for his stash of alcohol. He was more violent when he was drunk.

I heard my stomach grumbled again. I was really hungry, but I couldn't go downstairs, because he would see me and find a reason to hit me.

I really don't know why my mother had married him. What had she seen in him? I don't know why I ask that question, because I already knew the answer. He was rich and my mother needed the money.

Dad died when I was ten and we started to have money issues. My mother had to do something in order for us to get by, so a year later she married Allan. She didn't love him and I knew he didn't love her either.

Her Saving Grace

"Jasmine, where were you? I looked for you everywhere." I asked when I reached her.


"I was with Lucas, but I lost him." Jasmine explained. "And just so you know, he is drunk."


"What? I thought he said he wasn't drinking." I queried.


"That's what I asked him and he said that it just happened." She explained, rolling her eyes.


"What are we going to do now?" I questioned.


"Don't worry about it." Jasmine reassured. "I'll ask Eli to take us home when we're ready."


"Yes, I was actually with him a few minutes ago." She explained.


Just then, I heard my phone ringing. I took it out of my purse and checked the caller ID. It was an unknown number. After thinking about it, I accepted the call.


"Where the hell are you?!" I heard my step father snarled into the phone.


Chapter 34