I needed to clear my head, so I drew a hot bath, sinking into the tub with a sigh. The water rising just beneath my chin. The steam rose around me, soap suds clinging to my skin and the warmth pressed against my skin, and for a moment, it almost felt like the house couldn’t reach me here.
I closed my eyes. If I stayed quiet enough, maybe I could forget his words from earlier. You don’t belong here.
The sound of footsteps in the hall made my eyes snap open. They were heavy and uneven. Then the door handle rattled.
“Mom?” I called.
No answer.
Then the door burst open so hard it slammed against the wall.
Roland stood in the doorway, his eyes raking over my naked body like I was something disgusting he owned.
“What the…get out!” I yelped, splashing water as I tried to cover myself. He
