24

Aurora I leave work early. But I don’t go to Jonathan’s house. In fact, for a second, I contemplate driving my car to someplace else. I could go to Wales. Or Scotland. If that’s still too close, I can go to another country. Pick a place on the map and fly over there. I can start anew. If I’ve already had one rebirth, I can have another, right? Only, I can’t leave H&H and Layla and everyone else behind. I can’t abandon the dream I started with my own hands. I can’t keep running for the rest of my life. When I walked out of the court hearing that day, I promised he’d never be the master of my life again. He won’t control my every breath as if he has a right to. As if he owns my life just because he gave it to me. Every time someone looks at me, I breathe wrong. I watch my surroundings as if expecting the eggs, the slurs, the assault. “The devil’s spawn.” “Her father’s daughter.” “Murderer! Murderer! MURDERER!” I hit the brakes and place both hands on my ears as if that will stop the voic