Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

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?

despite being gentle. You make me feel safe. But you’re also

She

likes him. I don’t want

good for her? Her daughter suffering in silence

her mouth to defend herself, but no words came to mind. She

Tina’s frightened eyes, then turned to walk out of the room where she saw Spencer and Mrs. Fowler. Then, she

to leave, she glanced at Spencer.

hastily followed

Fowler, Tina

disbelief, “How is that

understand when you see the wounds

moved forward and lifted Tina’s long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Sure enough, all sorts of wounds covered her body. Some

sight to behold, and Mrs. Fowler immediately burst into tears when she saw all the

pretended to be sick because she didn’t want to

started crying silently as she saw her mother’s

she had hugged Tina in six months. She never knew that Tina had been suffering all this

weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know what else that beast would do

felt constricted as she delicately caressed Tina’s hair,

you plan to do now,

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 always

on Tina as a thought popped into her mind. “But Tina’s injuries can’t be in vain. We need to make Alex pay

Fowler’s mind was filled with thoughts of leaving this dumpster fire behind, she

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

standing by the side, sneered when he heard that. “The Fowler Family is nobody. They can’t even compare to

me up when he was drunk. He kept muttering about

The Alphascape Group?