At 2 A.M., a Hidden

back.

“I would burn every dollar I have before I let anyone take him from you.”

Her face twisted.

“I was scared.”

“I know.”

“I thought maybe she was right.”

“She wasn’t.”

“I thought maybe I was failing.”

“You were being abused.”

The word hung between us.

Abused.

Ava looked at me as if no one had ever allowed her to call it that.

I wanted to promise I would fix continue reading …