"God loves you but not enough to save you,"
In the small town near Austin, Texas, Nora Gibson is trapped in a life of rigid expectations and silent suffering.
As the preacher's daughter, she endure the mental and physical abuse of her father while...
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Saturday arrived with a sense of dread that Nora couldn't shake. The dinner invitation at Tommy and Maria's loomed over her like a dark cloud. Joel had decided to come, partly due to Ellie and Tommy's insistence, and also because it was a chance for The Millers to catch up with her family, the Gibsons.
The aftermath of last Sunday's beating from her father for abandoning her duty at church service had left Nora changed. The light in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by a quiet resilience. Her body was still sore, the bruises and scars not fully healed, making even the simplest movements painful.
Nora worried some of the wounds might be infected, as she had been running a high fever and coughing for days. Her mother was concerned but too scared to take her to the hospital.
In this small town, everyone knew each other, and a trip to the doctor would raise questions. The family's reputation, especially with her father being the town preacher, was paramount. So, her mother did her best to care for Nora at home, but it wasn't enough.
Nora still went to school, hiding her condition under oversized sweaters. She had no close friends, just a few acquaintances, but she was well-known as one of the prettiest girls and the preacher's daughter.
Boys liked her, always trying to get close, but she kept her distance. One day at school, Ellie noticed she didn't look well and asked if she was sick. Nora lied, saying she was fine.
"You sure? You don't look so good," Ellie said, her eyes filled with concern.
"I'm fine, Ellie, really. Just tired from studying for finals," Nora replied, forcing a smile.
Ellie frowned, clearly unconvinced. "If you say so. Just... take care of yourself, okay?"
"I will," Nora promised, though she wasn't sure if it was a promise she could keep.
As one of the smartest students, Nora's teachers noticed her decline and sent her to the school's psychologist. The psychologist observed her physical and mental changes, but Nora lied again, blaming sleepless nights spent preparing for graduation.
As her family prepared to go to the Millers, Nora told her mother she might not be able to go because her body was still sore. The scars hadn't healed, and she worried about infection. She'd had a high fever for days.
"Mama, I don't think I can go tonight. My body still hurts so much," Nora said, her voice weak.
Her mother, worried but too afraid to confront her father, insisted she come. "Nora, you know your father will be angry if you don't come. It's better if you come, even if you're not feeling well," she said, her voice trembling.
Reluctantly, Nora agreed. For the first time in a while, she applied makeup to cover the bruises on her skin, arms, and the corners of her eyes and cheeks.
