Chapter 6

When Brian Robinson returned home that evening, he must have seen the things I tossed in the trash, as he angrily knocked on my door.

"Gabrielle! Get out here! We need to have a word."

I opened the door to find Brian's face hard and unforgiving.

"Why did you throw away all the stuff I gave you?"

"Why do you care?" I replied, holding his gaze.

The blow from earlier had left a mark that was still visible on my face. Brian hadn't held back, causing my cheek to swell, the marks deepening instead of fading.

Brian's expression shifted as…