Chapter 2

2.

I stayed collapsed on the cold floor all night, and no one cared.

When I woke up the next morning, my whole body ached.

My stomach felt like it was on fire.

I never used to have stomach problems, even when I was suffering under my stepmother.

But after marrying Alana, the stress had eaten away at me.

She had a thousand ways to make me miserable.

If the food wasn't plated perfectly, she'd forbid me from eating dinner.

If she was in a bad mood, she'd force me to eat food covered in hot peppers.

If she was happy, she'd force me to eat until I felt like I was bursting.

For the first two years, I still held onto a tiny bit of hope.

I did whatever she wanted just to keep her calm.

After a long time, the pain finally dulled.

I struggled to get up but couldn't stop coughing.

A spray of blood hit the floor, looking bright and terrifying against the wood.

I rushed to put on my clothes and stumbled toward the door.

"You're not making breakfast? Where do you think you're going?"

Alana stood by the bedroom door, looking annoyed.

She was only in a towel, her skin covered in fresh marks from the night before.

I fought back the urge to throw up and looked away.

Xavier poked his head out from behind her with a grin.

"Is Kaelen upset with us? Is he running away from home?"

Alana laughed. "Running away? He's too pathetic to survive on his own."

I opened my mouth to speak, but more blood welled up in my throat.

I swallowed it hard, but a red stain leaked from the corner of my mouth.

Alana paused for a second when she saw the blood.

Xavier immediately covered his mouth and faked a gasp.

"Whoa, did you prepare a fake blood pack, Kaelen?"

"That's some dedication! Doing anything to get Alana's sympathy, aren't you?"

Alana looked at me with pure disgust. "Kaelen, if you walk out that door, don't come back!"

"Just get the hell out of here!"

She turned and walked into the kitchen.

Xavier licked his lips and leaned in close to me, whispering.

"Your wife tastes amazing. She's already forgotten you even exist."

"If I knew she was this good, I would have tasted her on your wedding night."

He sounded so proud, like he was showing off a trophy he had won.

I took a deep breath to push down the nausea.

I didn't say a word to him and just left.

Before the door closed, I heard Xavier shout behind me.

"Hey Kaelen, Alana is taking me to my mom's birthday party in seven days. Don't forget to show up!"

I didn't look back.