Page 23 of About Love and Revenge

Today, what I felt was a thousand times worse.

I am no longer a child, and after what Naim said and Odin's speech last night, I know they are gone forever. My father and mother left me behind, in the hands of that hateful man. I don't have anyone else.

I squint to keep from crying while the doctor takes my blood pressure. Not now. In a little while, when there's no one else in the house. I can't allow myself to cry in front of a stranger.

“Apparently nothing is broken, but you have a bump on your head. I would like you to go to Athens for a closer look. The island clinic doesn't have the necessary equipment.”

“I'm fine,” I say without looking at him. I know he's watching me, though.

He has known our family for many years. Despite never being our doctor, he attends the islanders. When we had a health problem, we always went to a clinic in Athens.

My head hurts, but I can't accept his suggestion for the simple reason that I can't afford the exam.

I’ve never had to worry about money. My father wouldn't even let us have access to a bank account. All my financial movement depended on credit cards that he made available for me and my sisters, when they were still single.

What am I going to do?

I can't count on my sister's help, because they’ve hardly spoken to me since they got married.

I could ask Theo for guidance, but I'm also not sure he would be willing to help me.

Not having the resources to pay for the exam, however, is only the first reason why I don't want to go to Athens.

The second one is the dread of leaving here and not being able to return.

Odin didn't confirm whether what he said yesterday at the party was valid, if I still have six more days to stay here. But the truth is, even if he gives me that deadline, I have no idea what I'm going to do when the time to leave comes.

“I don't need any more tests,” I reply, trying to keep my voice free of emotion.

“What about talking to the police?”

“No.”

“No woman should be subjected to domestic violence.”

I feel my face heat up, and I stare at him. I immediately see what he's thinking. “Odin didn't hurt me.”

I don't know why I need to defend him, but I do. I know Odin is our enemy, but he protected me for two days straight, while my father left me to my own devices. It's not fair that the islanders think of him as someone capable of hurting women.

“Who was it then?”

I get up from the bed. “Are we done yet?” I ask, trying to put some reassurance in my voice.

“Miss Argyros . . .”

“Thank you for coming, but I don't need your services anymore.”

He still seems to hesitate, but I'm not willing to leave room forfurther questioning. I don't want people to feel sorry for me. It's enough for me to feel like nothing myself.

I get up and hold the door open in a clear gesture indicating that he must leave.

The doctor still takes a few seconds to finally go.

I took longer than usual in the shower.

Not only did I need to relax, I wanted to erase any trace of that despicable man from my body.

I didn't allow myself to cry. I was afraid that once I started it would be unmanageable, and Odin is still in the house—which is now his house—waiting to speak to me.

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