She walks briskly through the temple, her head occupied with the thoughts how long she has to bear his mark on her.
But why is she rushing? It isn't like there is Marlon again to claim her. The realization grips her heart with startling pain, but she maintains her blank face. Even though there is no one to claim her, she isn't doing this for them, she is doing this for her.
This is for all the times he had humiliated her in public, flogged her like a child, stepped aside while Courtney abused and ridiculed her. This is for her more naive self that was afraid to stand up.
Her body weaves through the door but her eyes don't register the entrance of another person. Her shoulder violently bumps into Max's and she winces, pulled from her reverie of her thoughts.
“I'm sorry,” she apologizes
