About an hour later, I was jolted awake by the rattling of the door handle. My heart leapt into my throat as I stood up.
What punishment didAnn have in store for me now?
The thought of what could be coming sent a chill down my spine. I had no doubt she was planning something sinister. She always did. But I wasn’t the same frightened girl I used to be. I’d gone through worse There wasn’t much that could break me anymore.
The door creaked open, and there she stood. Ann. She looked different—there was no malice in her eyes, no visible weapon in her hand. Just a blank, unreadable expression that made my stomach twist.
I blinked, trying to adjust my eyes to the sudden light that filled the room. I had been in the dark for what felt like an eternity, and the brightness from the hallway was b
