The cold night wind brushed against Hazel’s cheek, but she barely felt it. Her heart was pounding too loudly, drowning out everything around her. The snowflakes falling gently from the sky melted instantly on her warm skin, yet a deep chill settled in her chest as she stared at the barrage of messages lighting up her phone screen.
“Dad: Where has this wild girl gone again. Hurry up and come home before I get angry.”
“Dad: You have ten minutes to come back, otherwise you will not be my daughter anymore.”
Hazel blinked slowly, her lashes trembling. Each word stabbed her like small, sharp needles, leaving cold trails behind. Her fingers tightened around the phone, but the ache spreading through her chest only grew heavier.
Was he so eager to get rid of her?
So eager to sell her?
Not eve
