Page 45 of Do It For Me

I’ve been thinking about throwing myself out of the window. This time, Dante won’t be there to catch me.

He’s stopped sending me messages. Maybe he’s given up on me. Maybe he’s realised I’ve got too many problems.

He doesn’t want me. I’ll be stuck here for the rest of my life.

I close my eyes and try to fall asleep again. I’ve been in the same position for what feels like forever.

I’m sick. I’m tired. I just want this pain to stop.

I haven’t heard anything from my mum—not even her screams or crying.

Why do we have to live like this? Why did I mess everything up yesterday? If I hadn’t asked him... If I’d just come back when I was supposed to. If I hadn’t asked him to take me to his place, I’d be fine. Mum would be fine. I wouldn’t be lying here, all beaten up.

But my father would’ve touched me. He would’ve whispered things into my ear when all I wanted was Dante.

Though he did it anyway.

A hand covers my mouth.

My eyes snap open. There’s a shadow in front of me. My heart pounds against my ribs, and a scream catches in my throat.

They’ve come for me again.

This time, I’ll die.

I can’t—

“It’s me,” he whispers, pulling the hood from his head. “What happened?”

Relief floods through me, and I start crying. He holds me tightly in his arms. I cling to him, wrapping my arms and legs around him as he carries me to the bed. His embrace is firm, protective. I try to keep quiet, but I’m choking on my own sobs.

“What happened, sweetheart?”

“My father, he… I don’t know. I don’t know why he’s so angry. It’s all my fault.”

He brushes my hair away from my face.

“How long ago?”

“W-when I—When you left.”

“Have you eaten?”

I shake my head. He pulls something out of his jacket and hands it to me—a cereal bar.

I’m starving, but I can’t bring myself to eat.

“We shouldn’t see each other until the wedding.”

“Over my fucking dead body.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll get you out. You’re coming with me. Now. Pack whatever you need. You’re not coming back.”

“What about my mum? I have to tell her, I—”

“Amore—”

“I can’t leave her like this. She’s suffering too.” I bury my face in his chest. “She’s all I have. I’m all she has. Please. I want you to get me out of here, but I can’t leave her behind.”

He sighs, pressing another kiss to my head. “I’ll stay here tonight,” he murmurs. “In the morning, I’ll speak to your mother about getting you out. If she can’t, I’ll handle it. Understood?”