[COMPLETED BUT WONT LET ME PRESS THE COMPLETED BUTTON AHAHHA]
Aurora Lockheart was once the sunshine girl-bright, kind, and full of life. But one night changed everything, leaving her a shadow of who she used to be.
A year later, just as she's be...
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I fucked up.
2 hours late to work meant I now sported a fuck ton of bruises all along my body along with hand marks and belt marks on my back.
"You're finished for the day, don't mess up again," Andrew my 'boss' warned me. I nodded, grabbing my bag and reaching for my phone.
"7:30 pm," the time displayed, making me sigh.
Exhausted, both mentally and physically.
After about ten minutes, I step outside the house and spot Joey sitting on the brick wall in front of the house.
"Dad's on a roll tonight," he mutters as I plop down next to him.
"When isn't he?," I mutter, earning a chuckle from him.
"I'm off to Aofie's for the night, okay with you?" he asks, to which I nod in agreement.
"Course, you deserve a life, Joey. I've got this," I reassure him with a smile.
"Whoa, who's been sucking on your neck?" he chuckles, noticing the bruises.
"This lad in school," I lie, giving him a fake laugh as he finishes his cigarette.
We sit there for a few moments in a peaceful silence before Aofie pulls up.
"You ready stud?" She calls out as Joey walks over to her car. "Hi Rory!" She says happily before Joey gets in the car.
"Have fun," I shout back before they bid their goodbyes, driving off.
I make my way into the house heading to the kitchen as Dad sits at the table.
"Andrew said you were late today," he mutters as I open the cupboard door, pulling out a glass.
"Why were ye late?"
"Because, I had a few things to do before,"I lie as I fill my glass with water.
"Bullshit,' he says, getting up and walking towards me.
"You ever turn up late again you're dead, y'hear me. I got you the job, be grateful you little shit," he barks, his face inches from mine before delivering a sharp smack.
"You think I want the job? You think I want a job where I'm getting passed around by guys twice my-"
A sudden jolt of pain surges through my eye as my head snaps to the left, crashing against the counter. The throbbing ache intensifies, and as I groan in agony, his voice cuts through the haze, continuing his rant.
"You're just like your mother, a used up whore. You're useless, no one'll ever love ye," he sneered before heading off into the living room.
The sting of his words cut deeper than any physical blow, the echo of his cruel taunts lingering in the air. It wasn't the bruises that ached the most or the degrading insults hurled at me; it was the crushing weight of his declaration that no one would ever hold love for me.
He was right, no one could love me, not if they found out every little thing about me, they'd find me disgusting, gross... a whore, like he said. __________________
"Y'know, it's late, school's tomorrow," I mention, eyeing the clock displaying 10:40 pm as the kids gather on the bed.
"Are ye stayin' with us tonight?" Shan asks, her voice hopeful, looking for comfort in a moment of uncertainty.
"I'll sort the beds out, Shan'. I can't be sleepin' on a pissy mattress," I respond, a hint of amusement in my tone as Shan lets out a soft chuckle.
As I push our beds together, rearranging the room to create a makeshift family bed, as they all watch in quiet admiration.
"Let's get ye all tucked in. It's gettin' late," I announce as they climb into bed. I settle myself in front of the bedroom door, keeping watch as the sound of the front door slamming downstairs echoes through the house.
Within moments, one by one, they all drift off to sleep, their breathing gentle and rhythmic, a stark contrast to the recent chaos. Exhaustion washes over me, and I lean back against the door, seeking a moment of respite.
"Why were ye back so late?" Tadgh's hushed voice breaks the silence, his curiosity evident as he peers at me.
"I was at work." I reply wearily, meeting his gaze as he lets out a sigh.
"Does yer boss enjoy knockin' ya around or what? Ye didn't have them belt marks on your back when you left for Biddie's," he remarked, his sharp observation cutting through the tension.
He way too smart for his age.
"Tadgh, let it go," I interjected, sensing the conversation heading down a rough path.
"This is ridiculous,fucking ridiculous," Tadgh exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice.
" language," I reminded him firmly.
A heavy silence settled over us as I caught sight of Shan, holding Tadgh close as they both slept.
