Chapter 6

• Samantha POV……
• Standing in front of my full length mirror trying to decide the best dress to hide my scars that littered along my back.
• I had always been shy about my body, never allowing anyone, not even Chloe, to see me naked.
• Thankfully they were more on my ribs and easily hidden under my dress.
• My mind drifted back to the events of the past weeks.
• …..Flashback…..
• It was a rainy cold evening. I just finished having dinner. I don't eat much and I'm very selective. Well, that's because I have an eating disorder.
• I laid on my bed, putting on faded black denim shorts and a white tank top with Barbie written in front. I know the top looks childish but I love it.
• I'm scrolling through my phone checking for notifications for job vacancies on all the websites I applied for, since getting a job now seems like the most difficult thing in life.
• “Another day another disappointment” I sigh. I couldn't find any notifications as usual, I tossed my phone on the bed and felt like screaming off the roof if that was going to relieve me of how unfortunate I'm.
• It's been a year after school and I'm still jobless, all my mates are in one good job or another.
• Still in thought of what to do next when my phone rang bringing me back to reality, my heart skipped a bit as butterflies danced in my tummy seeing the caller ID: LoveBug.
• I picked up, “hello sweets, how are you” a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips hearing his voice.
• “I'm so oo mad at you” replied playfully.
• “What's my offense sweet? You haven't returned my calls or messages since morning” I said, pouting my lips like he couldn't see it.
• “Forgive me sweet, I had some errands to run and I had to do a double shift at work because William called in sick” replied calmly.
• “What a sweet soul he was.” I mumbled.
• “Can't hear you sweet,”he cut in.
• “It nothing love, I was just-”
• “Samanthaaaa!! His distance shouting interrupted our conversation.
• “That's my dad, talk to you later” immediately I hung up abruptly, my heart pounding with fear.
• “He's back, he's drunk again and mom's not back home yet”. I knew I was in for another night of terror.
• “You good for nothing daughter, get down here now”! He yelled.
• The sound of his heavy footsteps grew louder with each passing second. I quickly rushed to lock the door before he could get to my room, with my hand almost at the doorknob.
• The door flew open with a violent crash, sending me stumbling backward.
• Standing in the doorway, was the man I have feared all my life, looking me in the eyes as my heart pounded in my chest.
• “How dare you ignore me you silly brat”? barked with his deep and husky voice.
• “I-i.. wasn't ig-noring” before I could finish talking, a resounding slap hit my cheeks, sending me crashing to the ground with my eyes glossy.
• “Please, Dad, stop…” said tearfully.
• “Oh you haven't seen the last of me young woman, you are so unfortunate and useless” he fired with his anger boiling over.
• I tried running into my bathroom, he held my arm roughly and pulled me back, giving another resounding slap and I fell hard landing on my back, with my cheek burning with pain and my vision swimming in tears.
• He staggered towards me, before his hand could reach out to me, I ran as fast as my feet could carry me out of the house.
• Wasn't sure where I was going. I kept running,I wish I could say his hatred towards my mom and I started from when the doctor said ‘’it's a girl’.
• He wanted a son to continue his kickboxing career, but unfortunately a daughter came, and after me, she was unable to get pregnant.
• I think my mom secretly took preventive measures in order no to get pregnant, all the test results show my mom's fine,but I really don't know what that woman is up to.
• So this is what my mom and I get whenever he loses any fights.
• I stopped running and realized I had instinctively gotten very close to Rayden's apartment, the only place I felt safe.
• The door was slightly opened, I got inside and the sitting room was in disarray, clothes thrown on the couch and floor.
• I knew Rayden was organized, I concluded that his busy schedule was responsible for it, as I bent down to pick the scattered clothes.
• My ears caught an unmistakable sound of moaning coming out of his bedroom. I walked slowly to the bedroom and pushed open the door, and my fears were confirmed instantly.
• Without a word I turned and fled from the apartment, feeling the weight of my tears mingling with the downpour as I grappled with the betrayal of my father and boyfriend.
• Forgive my manners I'm Samantha Alfonso, Sam for short.
• And I'm 27 years old, single, fatherless and jobless, don't worry you'll understand why I said fatherless although he is not dead.
• And now, here I'm, sitting beside my mother, who has just tied the knot with a man she had met at the hotel where she worked.
• "I can't believe we're finally leaving Amsterdam," I muttered, my voice tinged with a mixture of disbelief and resignation.
• "But with this traffic, it looks like we'll be spending the whole day here."
• My mom turned to me with concern etched across her face. "What are you thinking about, baby?" she asked, slipping her right hand into mine and giving it a light squeeze, while her left hand remained on the steering wheel.
• I forced a smile, trying to push aside the weight of my worries. "Just thinking about everything that's happened lately," I replied softly.
• "It's been a tough week, that's for sure.
• “My mom nodded sympathetically, her eyes reflecting understanding. "I know, sweetheart," she said gently. "But we'll get through this together, okay? We're starting a new chapter in our lives, and I couldn't be more excited