When we got home, Leo had a fever because
of the wine and not getting his clothes
changed right away.
I was up half the night, trying to get him to
sleep.
Finally, he was out cold. I stared at his
sleeping face, and it all came crashing down.
My family had this old–school agreement for
me to marry Jason.
Jason and Brittany were childhood
sweethearts. Everyone thought they were
perfect together.
Me showing up was nothing more than a
mistake.
And Jason treated me like a stranger.
I never hoped for him to like me.
When Jason and Brittany were at an
amusement park, Brittany’s boyfriend pulled
my hair until my scalp hurt. He punched my
face and held my head underwater.
The cigarettes burned me over and over.
The boy laughed, warning me over and over.
“Jason is Brittany’s. Don’t assume anything
that doesn’t belong to you.”
r
I didn’t know why I had to take this.
I wanted to leave, but Jason’s family tied him
up and had him swear to me.
“We already educated him. Jason will be good
to you from now on.”
I got bullied even more badly and went to the
hospital.
My abuser got a couple of words.
I watched the sunlight and didn’t dare cry.
“What’s wrong?”
Then Mark came out of nowhere,
The boy’s brown eyes shone with light as he
comforted me.
From then on, I had a follower.
I became depressed and was afraid of getting
close to people.
He beat up the bullies over and over.
People were mad.
“Mark, do you like that ugly thing?”
Mark said,
“She didn’t do anything wrong.”
Those words opened my heart.
I realized someone saw my scars and stood
r
After that, Mark was nice to me.
On college graduation day, he got on one
knee and told me he loved me.
His eyes were shiny and full of me.
But our families were enemies in business,
and I had my marriage agreement.
I turned him down.
He said, “Give me a chance and we’ll work
hard.
Let’s run away!”
I was touched and told my parents.
for th
Г
I got locked up for three days and nights.
I wouldn’t eat or drink.
My parents let up.
I canceled my marriage agreement and got
engaged to Mark.
He said, “I finally get to marry you.”
Mark came home late, drunk as a skunk.
He stumbled into the room and grabbed me.
I didn’t move, afraid of waking Leo.
Mark mumbled into my neck.
“Sarah, Brittany told me everything.”
I expected him to apologize.
He squeezed my throat until I almost passed
out, eyes red. “You need to atone for
Brittany,” he said.
My heart fell into the abyss.
He picked up Leo, who was beside me and
lifted him up with a dark expression.
“If it weren’t for you and that kid, I wouldn’t
have to live like this.”
I didn’t know he was crazy enough to hurt his
own child for a woman.
I was scared to death and protected Leo,
“Mark, stop!”
He became angrier and angrier at my cries.
He pushed the lamp off the table and roared
at me like an animal.
“It’s all your fault, you evil villain!
If you didn’t bully Brittany, I wouldn’t have to
be with you! How can anyone love an evil
woman like you?”
Mark’s words shocked me and I felt cold.
I asked, “So, you don’t love me?”
He laughed and said, “Why would I love you?
You’re an evil, selfish woman who bullied my
love, Brittany. I’m not going to watch her be
saa.
The boy in my memories faded.
I made a fist, and the tears dropped on the
carpet.
“But I didn’t do anything. Why are you doing
this to me?”
He said, “I’m taking care of you. Don’t get any
ideas!
You have a kid so be quiet. If I see you
bullying Brittany again, I’ll make you and your
kid pay!”
The boy in my mind disappeared.
My life was a joke.
Г
Leo was so freaked out he cried all night.
I got up several times in the middle of the
night and got him to sleep.
I woke up the next day and Leo was gone.
I frantically called Mark a dozen times, but he
took his time answering and asked, “What?”
I asked, “Where’s Leo?”
He paused, thinking.
“Brittany wanted to see him, so I let her.
Don’t be like that.
Don’t mess with Brittany. I’ll send him back
after.”
Г
I was angry.
“Leo’s not a toy. Why are you doing this?
He’s sick! Are you even human?”
Mark yelled, “You’re crazy!”
And hung up.
My heart beat fast and I knew something
happened to Leo.
I went to the mansion.
I heard Brittany crying.
“If Sarah finds out the kid’s gone, she’ll kill
me.”
Leo… is gone?
