Chapter 2

The morning after Antonio left, everything changed. My father was like a different person, his fury and rage turned towards me instead of my brother. He blamed me for Antonio's departure, saying that I had driven him away with my weakness and my cowardice.

But I knew the truth. I knew that Antonio had left to protect me, to get away from the abuse and the pain that we both suffered at the hands of our father. He had promised me that he would come back for me, that he would find a way to save me from the hell that we called home.

For months, I waited for his return, hoping and praying that he would keep his promise. But as time went by, my hope turned to despair. I started to believe that he had abandoned me, that he had left me to face my father's wrath alone.

It was a dark and stormy night when my father came into my room, his eyes burning with anger. He grabbed me by the arm and dragged me out of bed, throwing me onto the floor.

"You are a disgrace," he spat, his words slurred by the alcohol on his breath. "You have driven your brother away, and now you will pay for your sins."

He started to kick me, his boots slamming into my ribs and my stomach. I curled up into a ball, trying to protect myself from the blows. But there was no escaping the pain that he inflicted upon me.

And then, just as suddenly as it had started, it was over. My father collapsed onto the floor, his face contorted in pain. I looked up to see Antonio standing over him, a look of cold fury on his face.

"You will never touch her again," Antonio said, his voice low and menacing. "If you ever come near her again, I will kill you."

My father staggered to his feet, his eyes filled with fear. He knew that Antonio meant every word. And with a final glance at me, he stumbled out of the room and out of our lives forever.

Antonio took me in his arms, holding me tightly as I sobbed with relief and gratitude. We talked for hours, catching up on everything that had happened since he left. He told me about the life he had built for himself, about the people he had met and the places he had seen.

But he never told me why he had left in the first place. I didn't press him on it, sensing that there was something that he wasn't ready to share.

Over the next few days, Antonio helped me to gather my things and make plans to leave. He promised me that he would take care of me, that he would always be there for me no matter what.

And then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, he was gone again. He left behind nothing but a note, saying that he had to go away to start a new life. And once again, I was left alone and vulnerable, with nothing but my memories to keep me company.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***