Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
D A I S Y
The front door slams so hard it shakes the entire house, and I know he's home. My heart leaps, a cold sweat forming on my skin. I scramble to grab the laundry basket, pretending to fold clothes, hoping to look busy. But it's too late—he bursts into my room, eyes blazing with rage.
"What the fuck is this?" He snaps, holding up a plate with dried spaghetti clinging to it.
I made his dinner hours ago and forgot to put it away, like he told me to before he left. My pulse roars in my ears as I realize my mistake.
"You think this is a joke?" He growls, towering over me. "I told you to clean up the goddamn kitchen!"
"I—I'm sorry," I gasp, stumbling back. "I didn't mean to! I just—forgot. I'll clean it up right now, I swear!"
But my words are useless. He grabs me by the hair, yanking so hard my scalp hurts.
"Please! I'm sorry! I'll do it, I'll fix it, please just—stop!" I cry out, tears blurring my vision.
"Sorry?" He spits, throwing me against the wall, my shoulder slamming into it.
The impact knocks the breath from my lungs, and a sob breaks free.
"You're always fucking sorry. But you never learn, do you?"
"No, please—I'll be better," I beg, my body trembling so hard I can barely stand. "I'll do everything you want, just—please, don't hurt me!"
"You ungrateful little bitch," he spits, glaring down at me. "All I ask is one simple thing, and you can't even do that right."
His hand wraps around my throat, squeezing just enough to blur my vision.
"I'm sorry," I choke out, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "I didn't mean to—"
A sharp slap silences me, my head snapping to the side. Pain explodes across my cheek, and I taste blood. Before I can recover, his fist crashes into my face, knocking me to the ground. But I scramble to my knees, hands clasped, tears falling as I look up at him.
"I'll be good, I promise," I sob, my voice breaking. "Please, just—give me one more chance. I won't mess up again, I swear. I'll do whatever you want, please—"
"Shut the fuck up!" He roars, and his boot connects with my ribs in a brutal kick that sends me sprawling.
I scream, clutching my side, the pain so intense it's hard to breathe.
"You think begging's gonna save you? You think I don't know you're just a lying little bitch?"
"I'm not lying, I'm not—please, I'll be better, I'll do everything right—just stop, please!"
"Can't even follow the simplest fucking instructions," he snarls, grabbing a handful of my hair and yanking me up onto my knees. "Maybe I need to teach you what happens to useless, stupid girls who can't listen."
