Page 78 of Hidden Echoes

Maybe jail was a stretch. Cory Ross would probably find a way to get him out of it. But still. Better to avoid the headache. So I hid the marks whenever Kyle was around.

She was eating when I felt it—her gaze, heavy on me.

When I turned, her eyes were locked onto my arm.

I followed her line of sight and held my breath.

Shit.

The bruises were showing again. I usually remembered to keep my sleeves down, but I’d moved too fast. Too quickly, I yanked the fabric back over them.

“Who did that to you?”

Her voice was rough, like she hadn’t used it in a long time.

I froze.

She spoke.

She was talking.

Before I could react, she repeated herself, louder this time.

“Who did this?”

I swallowed hard. I didn’t know why I suddenly felt embarrassed.

“My mom’s boyfriend has a habit of… getting irritated easily.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“And your mom?”

I shrugged. “Pretends she doesn’t see.”

She was quiet for a moment, studying me. Then she said something I never forgot.

“You can either live on the run or face the people who try to break you.”

It hit me harder than I expected.

Running was all I’d ever known.

But for the first time, someone was telling me I had another choice.

And she said it like she knew exactly what she was talking about.

Like she had learned it the hard way.

CHAPTER 19

ZANE

CHARLIE:SO, I HEARD SOMETHING INTERESTING TODAY—from Carter, of all people. Apparently, you and Mia got married?

Me:Carter is a gossipy little bitch.

Charlie:Holy shit, so it’s true.

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