After hanging up, I looked down and saw blood staining my pants beneath me. Noah's kick had landed square on my lower abdomen—it must have caused internal damage.
It seemed even my body refused to spend another night in this house.
I changed into a clean pair of pants and stuffed the bloodied ones into a black trash bag, burying it at the bottom of my suitcase.
I didn't plan on telling the professor. I didn't want to worry him. Besides, this was my family matter—the humiliation, the pain, the injustice—I'd have to fight back on my own terms.
I packed my things, dragged my suitcase out, and started for the front door. Upstairs, laughter and chatter drifted down—they were still awake.
But when I opened the door, I didn't realize the housekeeper had locked it and armed the alarm.
A pier
