Chapter Thirty-One
Alicia's POV
Sleep was a luxury I couldn't afford.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. My father's hulking figure stumbling through the doorway, reeking of whiskey and rage. His fists finding me in the dark. The sound of Sophie's muffled crying from the corner where she'd learned to hide.
This city had taken everything from me once. Now it wanted more.
The alarm shattered what little rest I'd managed. I stared at the ceiling, my body heavy as lead, before finally dragging myself upright. Each step toward the nightstand felt like wading through concrete.
I silenced the alarm. My phone sat beside it, screen dark and waiting.
Why did everything suddenly feel like it was collapsing?
I picked it up with trembling fingers. One new message. Unknown number.
My throat went dry.
