Protector.Adena Stopped Responding

She doesn't flinch when the belt comes down.
She flinches when her best friend says, "You deserve better."

> Adena has mastered the art of stillness-how to bleed without crying, how to dodge a bottle but not a punch, how to fold herself small enough to fit inside safe memories.

Her parents see a daughter.
The world sees a fighter.
But Daniel?
He sees the girl who took his beating at age five-and still chose to stand in front of him.

This is not a story about escaping abuse.
It's about building a sanctuary

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(My first self-imagined story!!!)
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