93. My Fault

Six days had passed, and I was still locked inside that suffocating room. I tried to hold onto the hope Brenda had always told me to cling to, but it was slipping away. I was too weak to stand, the physical pain from Mrs. Carlos’s blows had mostly healed, but the ache in my heart remained. What had I done to deserve this? All I wanted was to be with Ivan. Was that too much to ask?

Now, she had threatened to hurt Kelly if I didn’t give in to her demands. The thought of my little girl in danger because of me haunted my every waking moment. My throat was dry, and hunger gnawed at my insides. I couldn't take it anymore. I was ready to surrender, ready to do whatever she asked if it meant Kelly would be safe.

The door creaked open, and I lay on the cold, hard floor, too exhausted to move. I couldn’t even muster the strength to speak. The man entered and pulled me up by the arm, but there was no fight left in me. I followed him weakly, my body barely able to support itself. As we descended