Baldwin didn't finish his sentence because his eyes caught the scratches on Calista's hands. A flicker of concern flashed in his gaze.
But as soon as he heard her say, "I'm fine. I calculated the distance. I knew I'd be okay," his anger flared up again.
"You're fine? Are you sure? Then what are these wounds on your hands? Did you paint them on? Are you even thinking about your safety? Do you even know how to take care of yourself?"
The barrage of scolding hit Calista like a ton of bricks, making her nose tingle and her eyes well up with tears. A sense of helplessness overwhelmed her, and she spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, "I just don't know how to take care of myself. No one ever told me how. No one ever cared about me..."
She had spent her whole life being forced into the mo
