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 a young girl. You may be able to treat me, but it’s probably impossible for you to save me from

She didn’t have the

mom likes him. I don’t want to disappoint

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?

but no words came to mind. She couldn’t

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

about to leave,

hastily followed

Fowler, Tina

Fowler was in disbelief,

see

gingerly moved forward and lifted Tina’s long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Sure enough, all sorts of

scary sight to behold, and Mrs. Fowler immediately burst into

abused her. That’s why she pretended to be sick because she didn’t

crying silently as she saw her

had hugged Tina in

weren’t for you, I

constricted as she delicately caressed Tina’s hair, treating her

to do

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 always thought that a father figure was important to a child’s development. Who knew… I was so blind to have made such a

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

was filled with thoughts of leaving this dumpster fire

in Blaydal. I’m a mere citizen. I can’t go up

he heard that. “The Fowler Family is nobody. They can’t even compare to the

murmured with a slight waver in her tone, “There was once he beat me up when he was drunk. He kept muttering about working with

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