a P

shing a stunned Aden out of her way. She kne

nse it stole my breath. I used my own strength to push mys

bluster. "She provoked me!

d I'd never heard from her before

wet with tears. "I'm so sorry,

r," I asked, my voice steady. "Do you think I was disrespectful be

d at me,

hed my lips. "It's because I ra

heavily against a stone wall. Then, under Elna and Aden's

ed the neckline open, exposing my

ld, white whip scars crisscrossed with the round, puckered marks

d. She covered her mouth, her eyes wide

not hell. A wave of guilt, so powerful

"Your kick hurt, Aden. But com

was for not digging enough ore." I pointed to

him in place. "So tell me," I said. "Do you st

o sound came out. The bloo

mmotion. Derrick was right behind her. Th

nd, I saw a flash of triumph in them before it wa

ied, a perfect,

ly. She stumbled, catching herself, and then, with perfect t

! If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have su

shed to her side, pulling her into his arms, shielding her. His newfound guilt va

you've been through, you still find ways to torture

ussing over Corie, w

my scars, to my emotionless face, and finally, to Corie's Emmy-worthy performa

f my three years in hell. I watched the pathetic table

the one person

voice laced with ice. "A