Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

Chapter 177

Tina dared not look Elspeth in the eye, and her body shrunk back into her corner when she heard those words. “I really didn’t—”

“This room is filled with a strong scent. While most people wouldn’t be able to identify it at the get-go, I know what that is. It’s an ointment for bruises.”

Elspeth knew that the truth behind Tina being covered with countless bruises and that she was going out of her way to avoid exposure would be revealed soon enough.

“Miss Fowler, I’ll keep it a secret. I won’t tell anyone.” Elspeth promised in a gentle tone. “Believe me, Tina, alright?”

Tina’s eyes reddened upon hearing Elspeth’s reassurances, making her look like a porcelain doll close to shattering.

“Don’t cry. Tell me. I’ll help you.”

Tina took in a deep breath before slowly recounting her story, “My mom divorced my dad and remarried Alex Fowler a few years later when I was four.”

Elspeth listened attentively to Tina, but she could already guess what had happened in her mind.

“Unfortunately, Alex showed his true colors just a couple of years later and started abusing me. He would beat me up whenever my mom wasn’t around. My mom really liked him. So, despite all the violence he had hurled at me, I kept my silence. I kept it a secret and didn’t even tell Spencer. Alex’s abuse worsened because of my lack of reaction.”

Tears rolled off Tina’s cheeks as she told her tale. It was agonizing to bare her story to another after keeping it a secret for so many heartrending years.

“Then, the heliophobia…”

Pain flashed across Tina’s eyes as she muttered bitterly, “I don’t have heliophobia. I just didn’t want to see people. The beating was frequent, and I was constantly covered with bruises. I was afraid people might notice. So, I came up with an excuse to avoid ever leaving.”

Only Spencer, her childhood friend, didn’t distance himself from her and often came over to accompany her.

“Why didn’t you fight back?”

Elspeth couldn’t wrap her mind around it. Why would Tina be willing to suffer the beating for such a long time?

make me feel safe. But you’re also

that her mother liked Alex. She didn’t have the heart to destroy her

likes him. I don’t want to disappoint

listened to her, and her gaze turned sharp at that comment. “How do you know that your mom wouldn’t feel disappointed instead? You saw how she looked at you just now. Do you really think this is good for her? Her daughter

words came to mind. She couldn’t

walk out of the room where she saw Spencer

about to leave, she

and hastily

Fowler, Tina isn’t

Fowler was in disbelief, “How is that

you see

sorts of

behold, and Mrs. Fowler immediately burst into tears when she saw

pretended

crying silently as she saw her

carefully embraced Tina in a bear hug. This was the first time she had hugged Tina in six months. She never knew

If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know what else that

felt constricted as she delicately caressed Tina’s

to

across Mrs. Fowler’s eyes. “Divorce. Ours was a casual relationship, to begin with. I married him only because I wanted Tina to have a better life. I

thought popped into her mind. “But Tina’s injuries can’t

Fowler’s mind was filled with thoughts of leaving this dumpster

is considered a prestigious family in Blaydal. I’m a

Family is nobody. They can’t even compare to the

her tone, “There was once he beat me up when he was drunk. He kept muttering about working with the Alphascape Group and evading tax worth a total of 200

The Alphascape Group?

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