MELANIE
“He…he is.” I keep my eyes glued on my daughter, terrified that if my gaze shifts—even a little bit—I’ll come face to face with the lead actor in all my nightmares.
“Melanie.”
My name leaves his lips with a false tenderness that makes my stomach turn. I almost vomit from the sound of it.
It’s the same sultry baritone that fooled me into believing he was my salvation, the one who would love me when my own mother couldn’t anymore.
“Hey, are you okay?” He asks.
With pure horror in my eyes, I watch him leave Pen’s side, crossing the room over to me.
I’m pressed at the edge of the sofa, determined to leave as much space between us as possible.
My fingers grip the leather tight, digging into it hard enough to rip it apart.
He settles into the little space left on the sof
