Chapter 90

• I excused myself from the conversation and rushed to the bathroom. Leaning against the sink, I gazed into the mirror, a sight that brought back haunting memories—memories of being confined in the basement and enduring nightly torment, memories of loathing the dawn of each day and despising the girl staring back at me. But there was a stark difference now. I no longer viewed myself with disgust. I was no longer that girl who dreaded the light of each day. Just a few months ago, the thought of returning to that place would have filled me with fear, perhaps even just weeks ago. But that was not who I was anymore. I couldn't claim to feel excitement about it either, but I had come to accept my reality.
• Steve and Connor's unsettling stories echoed in my mind. Deep down, I had always known that my father would eventually snap. The madness emanating from his eyes had been evident, manifesting in unpredictable outbursts of rage long before I had escaped. Over the years, those violent episodes had intensified, and even in my already fragile state, I had sensed it was just a matter of time. That impending threat had always been the one thing holding me back from running away—the fear that he would direct his fury toward Leonard. I had always been terrified that his psychotic tendencies would erupt, not just targeting Leonard but potentially leading to his death. At only twelve years old, Leonard had no defenses against such an overwhelming force.
• Yet, what Steve and Connor relayed alongside Xavier was more horrific than anything I could have ever conjured in my imagination. It was far worse than anything I believed they could handle. According to them, time was slipping away. The flicker of dread that crossed Xavier's eyes as they shared their news defied explanation, but it was unmistakably grave. We needed to act swiftly. The urgency in our discussion was palpable—Bell, Leonard's Bell, was at the mercy of my father. The thought of him ruining that sweet girl made my heart shatter. I understood the irreversible damage he could inflict; no amount of therapy could remedy it. Leonard cared deeply for her, and I was anxious about how he would cope with that. Would he stand up to my father to protect her? I was fully aware of the depth of first love. Of course, I was—it was sitting right there in the living room with me.