Chapter 119

Violet

My hand shakes as I put a portion of my hair in a braid and pull it halfway back into the locks trailing down my shoulders. Half-up/half-down is one of my favorite ways to style my hair. Brent hated when I would play with my hairstyle like this – anything that was playful, fun, or age appropriate, he would sneer his nose up at. He preferred for me to wear it pulled back in a bun style that was so severe, it made me look like I was in my forties. Given the way I never smiled, never met anyone's gaze – I probably did look like I was in my forties. Some miser who hated her life, and for a while I did. But I've come to realize over the past few weeks that's so not me.

Not many people know I'm actually twenty-nine. Much too young to feel this damn old. Isn't that a song or something? Once upon a time, I was someone who loved life, enjoyed pushing limits, and woke up every day looking forward to whatever adventure might be mine. Of all the things he took from me, that's one of th