What did they mean? I knew who I was, didn't I? I was Rosalia Mallory, a girl left on the doorstep of our town's foster agency to find a new home. From there I went through three homes before at the age of 16 instead of having to live in the group h...
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WARNING: the following couple of chapters include and deal with more mature themes such as abuse, mental health and suicide- not suitable for readers who are likely to be affected by the sensitive content or easily upset. READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
Rosalia's POV:
I need to tell him the truth. I don't want to but I know I need to. A part of me doesn't want to but I know, I know I need to explain everything to him. When I look at his eyes they're full of concern for me and it makes it harder for me to keep my emotions in check.
"What's wrong Rosa?" He finally asks the question again but I still don't answer. Instead, I focus on small things like the way my hands keep shaking or that I can't seem to keep my heart rate steady. I can feel he's still watching me with concern but I can't bring myself to answer. Not yet. "Rosa?" Another soft nudge.
"Can I trust you?" The words tumble out of me in a rush but I can't work out what else to say. Waiting I can sense my question hurts him but he masks it exceedingly well. Looking at him out of the corner of my eye I wait to hear confirmation or denial, holding my breath in anticipation.
"I hope so," Hunter eventually replies, sounding a little confused at my tone. But I need to know I can trust him before I go spilling my heart to him. I want to trust him, I really do but I need to know it'll be worth it. After all, I didn't spend my life constructing these walls just to drop them for anyone. "I really hope so Rosa,"
I take a deep breath. "Sorry, I just have issues with trusting people," I look up certain he'll be looking angry but instead all I see is concern. Just looking at him brings my tears to the surface again except this time I'm powerless to stop them. "Sorry," I sniff, looking away in shame at my tears, but he stops me. Instead of lashing out at me like I sadly still expect he gently wipes my tears away.
"Don't be, I'm not mad. Just concerned." Oh, trust me I know. This link can be a pain in my ass considering I now think he can tell when I'm lying. He laughs. "I could always tell when you lied to me, Rosa." I snort with laughter, glad my sarcasm is still working, I can't have gone off the deep end yet. "But I also get the sense that you're avoiding my question."
There it is again. The reminder. I know I have been but that's because I don't want to face the horrors I've lived through and have him look at me the way all the other kids did. Damaged goods. My mind teases and I have to blink back more tears. Kids can be cruel that I know but this was different. Hunter seems to pick up on my hesitation because he just sits there and waits. "Where do you want me to start?" I ask, my voice is shaky.
"How about at the beginning?" He replies, pulling me even closer until we're sat against the headboard with me on his lap. Resting my head on his shoulder he runs his hand through my hair absentmindedly whilst I grip the other for support. "Take as long as you want, I don't mind."
"I never knew my parents," Again the words tumble out in a rush but this time rather than being due to fear it's because I want to get it over with. To get rid of the sour taste in my mouth that comes from saying the words. "I don't even know what date my birthday is." He's frowning at me.
