I didn’t sleep a wink for the rest of the night. Every creak of the floorboards, every gust of wind against the window, every soft sound from the corridors outside made me jump, my heart leaping into my throat, half-expecting Damon to burst back in, to carry out his threats right then and there. His words replayed in my mind over and over, sharp and cold, burning into my memory: Starting tomorrow… your nightmare truly begins.
When the first pale grey light of dawn finally seeped through the curtains, I dragged myself out of bed, my body heavy and exhausted, my mind a tangled mess of fear and determination. I wouldn’t let him win. I wouldn’t let him break me. I had stood up to him once, and I would do it again, every single time, no matter what he threw at me.
I dressed quickly, pulling o
