“What?” I ask, trying to focus my cloudy thoughts. I have never felt like he has had my best interests in mind, and even here, lying in a hospital bed, I still don’t. I fall back onto the pillow, exhausted and woozy from the sedation. Now just keep your mouth shut for a second and listen.” I knew he couldn’t keep up the sympathetic act for long. My eyes focus on his swollen cheek and the stitches under his left eye. Through blurry eyes, I look at him, trying to recall what got me here, and then I remember: the letter, the forest, and Jude.Jude! The lukewarm water coating my mouth might be the best thing I have ever tasted. I feel a straw poke at my lips and I suck. Shit must be really bad if he’s being nice. I open my mouth to respond, but choke on the dryness in my throat. “Sil? Sil? You up?” It’s my father’s voice.

Like some sort of domino effect, everything else begins to hurt. I try and lift my arm to shield my eyes from the glare, and that’s when I feel the throbbing.

I pinch them shut again so they can adjust. As I try to open my eyes the fluorescent light sears my pupils. That is the first sensation I am aware of as I regain consciousness.

If you are sensitive to these issues or if they are a trigger, this may not be the book for you. Please also note that this book deals with some difficult themes of abuse, including graphic descriptions. The playlist has a few extra songs included that did not make it into the book. If you would rather just peruse through the entire playlist, you can do so here. I am aware not all countries have access to Spotify, but it was the only way I could ensure that proper credit be given to the artists and that they are paid for the play. If you click on the song title, it will take you Spotify page for that song. You will notice a song title at the top of certain chapters or sections. I wanted to give the reader the opportunity to experience the novel in this way, if they so choose. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.Īs I wrote this novel, so many of the scenes in my head had specific songs as a backtrack. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products, bands, and/or restaurants referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. Christine Borgford, Perfectly Publishable

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