Chapter 8

As he placed another shrimp on my plate, I put down my fork, wanting him to eat something too. But the utensil slipped from my hand, and when I bent down to pick it up, I saw his face—pale as a ghost.

He leaned in close, his eyes bloodshot, suddenly yanking down my collar.

"Ah!" I yelped in shock.

One by one, revealing marks covered my skin. I realized what he'd noticed and turned my head away in shame.

"Who did this?" He grabbed my wrist, shouting like a madman, "Who did this to you?! Was it that bastard Zachary?!"

His yelling frightened me into silence, my eyes squeezing shut as tears spilled down my cheeks. He continued to curse, his rage uncontained while I simply let my tears fall.

After a moment, his entire body trembled as he pulled me into his arms, his voice rough and broken. "I'm sorry, Mich, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to yell. I know you didn't want this... you didn't want this, right? I shouldn't have yelled."

I wasn't sure what to say.

He cupped my tear-stained fa