I instantly lift my knee up, hitting him hard between his legs.
Jake groans loudly, dropping to the floor with his eyes squeezed shut tightly.
"What the hell Emily?! There goes my chance of ever being able to have kids." Jake yells, his voice strained.
I don't respond, the pain becoming unbearable to handle. It's shooting down my arms, making me lightheaded. Pain flashes through my face and I turn to face the wall, not wanting Jake to see my tear stricken face. Jake gently turns me around, his eyes full of worry and confusion. Fresh tears sting my eyes and I blink, feeling them slide down my cheeks.
"Stop Jake!" I whisper, my voice breaking apart as I speak.
Jake takes no notice of my protests and silently tugs my sleeves upwards. I suck in a breath, feeling like I've been punched in the gut. Ugly bruises etched into my skin stare back at us.
"Emily?" Jake questions, his eyes filling with confusion.
I thought Jake would take one look at a broken me and he would walk away. Away from the pain and misery in my life. Instead he drops one of my wrists, using his hand to clutch my chin. He lifts it slowly so I'm staring into his eyes. He's searching me intently, blue eyes flickering between mine.
"Let me help you," he pleads, his hand stroking my cheek gently. I've never heard those four words from anyone in my entire life.
Let me help you.
I push Jake off gently and walk towards the door, locking it. My heart is beating so fast against my body, I can practically hear it booming through my ears. I inhale deeply, noticing Jake is watching me carefully, his eyes trained on my every move.
"Please don't judge me," I whisper quietly, my shaky voice barely filling the small room. Jake nods silently, his face completely emotionless. I have to tell him, tell someone. It's making me go crazy, my sanity slipping away every second. I don't eat anymore in fear and I definitely don't sleep. I'm plagued by nightmares of Trevor every single night, each one of them more terrifying than the last.
I squeeze my eyes shut and feel for the hem of my top. My fingers find the soft material and I clutch it tightly, pulling the fabric up to reveal the top half of my body. I feel cold air hit my bare skin and that's when I know there is no going back.
My secret and I are exposed.
I open my eyes, feeling the tears escape and slide down my cheek, fighting over one another. My hands are shaking uncontrollably and I let go, allowing it fall back down. Jake is stood opposite me, his eyes fixated on my body where my skin was exposed seconds ago. His eyes are completely emotionless but his jaw clenches tightly in anger. His hands ball up into tight fists by his sides and he appears to be rooted to the spot, frozen.
"My step-dad does this to me," I whisper, feeling the need to explain myself.
My secret is out.
I look down at my body, knowing what lies underneath the clothes and recoil away from it in disgust. Black and blue bruises cover my whole stomach. Scars run up and down my legs and arms from years of abuse and my wrists are a mess from what I've done to them. I lift my head and search Jake's eyes for some sort of reaction but he remains emotionless.
"Say something Jake," I urge him, fear settling inside my stomach as I couldn't make out his reaction. He pauses for a moment, blue eyes filling with a deep sadness —
"I think you're amazing Emily. Come here," he finally whispers, his eyes flickering up to meet mine. He walks towards me, arms outstretched and I exhale a deep sigh of relief.
"Do you think I'm ugly?" I ask vulnerably, my voice shaking with fear as I fall into his embrace. His warmth wraps around me tightly and I close my eyes, feeling safe. Jake rubs my back soothingly, his face nuzzling inside the crook of my neck. I know he's trying to comfort me but I feel butterflies fill my stomach from his loving actions.
"I think you're beautiful," he whispers, his arms closing around my body gently. . . Almost as if he's protecting me from the danger that lurks around me.
Chapter Twelve - “Happy birthday Muffin.”
I blink several times, feeling like I'm sensitive to the entire world right now. I let out a low groan, the pounding in my head growing to be ten times worse.
"Is this a hangover?" I mutter rhetorically to myself, clutching the sides of my head. My eyes squint as they adjust to the brightness. I glance around, realising I'm still at Ivory's house.
"Happy Birthday to me . . ." I sing bluntly, massaging my sore temples. My thoughts turn back to last night.The party. Austin and Jake.
Jake.
It's that exactly moment that I realise what I've done. My mouth falls open with shock and snap it shut again. "No, no way. What have I done?" I murmur, my head falling into my hands. Holy Mother of Jesus.
I told Jake my secret.
I climb out of bed quickly, glancing down at my outfit from last night. It's crumpled up, clinging to my body unattractively. I pull at the material, grimacing from the way it feels against my skin.
Does Ivory know I spent the night at hers?
Did Jake bail on me last night?
There's a soft knock on the door, snapping
