KEIRA "What?!" Clint stopped wiping the plate in his grip.I stood up and reiterated. “I need to go home. Right now.” He dropped the plate in the sink and turned to lock eyes with me. “Is everything alright, Keira? I mean, you wanted this, and we just got here.”I took a deep breath, “ I know.” I drawled. “I have never been so scared for my life. Calvin messed me up badly. I thought a break from everything would be nice." “But…?” He urged me. “But I don’t want to be selfish about it. When I upped and ran, I did not think about Papa’s feelings.”He nodded and tapped his fingers on the counter, studying me. “I understand.” He walked up to me and wrapped his arms around me. We stood there for a moment, soaking up each other. “I’ll go pack our bags,” he said when we disentangled. “It’ll only take a minute, okay?” I laughed heartily. “Come on, you don’t expect me just to sit around. I’m coming with.”“I got it…” “I’m coming with. I’m not an egg. You pamper me too much,” I insisted.

KEIRADays had passed since the intense disagreement between Papa and me, and a heavy silence hung in the air. The tension was palpable, and the once-warm atmosphere of our home turned into a chilly void. I got consumed by my emotions and refused to venture outside my room. Hunger gnawed at me, but my stubbornness kept her confined. In an attempt to further isolate me, Papa had confiscated my phone, cutting me off from the outside world. It was a move I was sure he hoped would force me to confront the situation. Nothing he did rattled me more than his attempt to bar me from my therapist. If only he knew how his decision messed with my mental health. Throughout the night, I kept thinking about Clint, turning in my bed as I reminisced about the past few months with him. What it was about him that got my blood singing in my veins, I did not know, but it was a very good feeling. Fuck! The thought of him made me hot all over and I felt my libido igniting. I missed him so much. I needed

KEIRA "How do you feel now?" Clint asked, stroking my hair.We were in my room, safely locked away from the most staff and annoying security guard. We had asked them not to mention the incident that afternoon to Papa. Clint had tucked me into bed and had washed my face with a wet towel, ensuring I was given anything I wanted. I felt great, and I let him know. He smiled at me in return, silently watching me. "I could be better, though," I mentioned, shuffling to sit up. "Oh, you want something else?" Clint helped me up. When I rested on the headboard, I nodded. One look at me and realisation settled in his eyes. "I want to fuck you." "Keira..." he whispered, visibly turned on. "That is what I want, Clint." I had moved closer while speaking, so close that I felt the heat from his breath. I let my voice trail off. I raised up my gaze, begging him with my eyes to take me.For a moment, I was afraid that he would reject me, but he leaned forward and kissed me. I was triumphant as I

KEIRAI was sad to see Clint go. But we both knew it was best he left before Papa got back. After sharing a sweet, lingering kiss, I felt a rush of euphoria that carried me through the rest of the day. The sun seemed to shine a little brighter, and the world felt full of possibilities. As I savoured the happiness that came from our encounter, I could not help but reflect on the contrast between Clint's warm presence and the looming shadow of my stepbrother, Calvin.In the tranquil confines of my home's kitchen, I sat down to enjoy my lunch, a buffalo chicken grain bowl, basking in the peace that Clint's visit had brought. The familiar surroundings provided a sense of comfort, and I allowed myself to relax, my worries momentarily forgotten.The taste of my food seemed richer, each bite savoured with newfound joy. As I looked out of the kitchen window, my thoughts drifted back to Clint. His smile, the way he made me laugh, and the gentle touch of his lips against mine replayed in my mi

KEIRA Goosebumps peppered my skin as I looked at Clint, my eyes wide with shock and fear after hearing that I would need to testify in court. I felt overwhelmed, and mostly terrified with the idea of facing my step-brother in such a public and confrontational setting."Keira," Papa sighed as he took my hand in his. "You can't just say no. You need to do this."I shook my head vigorously. "I said no." "It will be okay, Keira," Clint said, trying to reassure me. "You need to testify, Calvin needs to be held accountable for what he did to you." Papa nodded, agreeing with Clint. I shook my head, my voice trembling with anxiety. "I can't do it. I just can't." "You can, and you must," Papa insisted, his gaze unwavering. "Your testimony is crucial in this case. It won’t be in our favour if there are no key witnesses." Tears welled up in my eyes as I adamantly refused again, my voice growing more insistent. "No, Papa, you do not understand. I can't face him in court. I can't relive thos