I remained still. His behavior puzzled me, but I knew they were crocodile tears.

Eventually, he stood and said, "Wait here, I’ll make you something to eat." He would not show me his face.

I didn’t care about his thoughts. Even if he showed such emotions occasionally, my image of him would not change. I couldn't lower myself to the level of a brute.

I knew quick action was my best defense. I couldn't let him succeed.

He returned to normal at breakfast, warm and smiling. "Honey, come here. Eat while it's hot! Start with the milk!"

He was attentive to me during breakfast, and everything seemed to have returned to normal. His actions left me feeling a little dazed.

“How about a day off today? You've lost a lot of weight recently. I could tell when I held you last night," he said tenderly.

A vision of him and Melanie brought me back to reality. To calm my nausea, I patted my chest. "I don't know why I keep feeling nauseous. Maybe I'm too worried about my parents."

"I know. Don't wor