I immediately started to shake. Why would she be here? She scoffed and looked at my aunt, "What is she doing here?" She said in an almost disgusted tone. "What you mean what is she doing here? What are YOU doing here?" Sarah said and stood up. "The doctors called me, you nimrod. I'm still his emergency contact." Her voice chilled my bones. I hadn't seen her in almost 10 years, but her voice remained the same. "Get up." She said and waved her fingers for me to come to her. I froze. "Why would she do that?" Colby said squinting at her. "I don't know who you think you are, but I need to talk to my daughter privately." I shook my head. "No." I said and grabbed my fathers hand, which was laying on the bed. "I'm sorry. It wasn't a question." She said and grabbed my wrist pulling me up. Colby went to pull her hand away but I stopped him. "I'll be right back." I said and gave him a reassuring look, before turning back to the woman who ruined my life.

"You should go home." She spoke coldly. I shook my head, ignoring her, "why did you leave." I held back every tear that was forming, if I ever had to be strong, it would be now. "Because I didn't chose to be a mom. I never wanted kids but your father refused to let me get an abortion." She said as she filed her nails. "You ruined my life. You ruined Dad's life. Why are you even here?!" I said starting to get agitated. "Watch your tone, little girl." She hissed, "if you had half a brain cell and listened to me earlier, you would know that I'm still his emergency contact. I have to be here." I sighed, "well I'm here now so you can leave. In fact please leave, and never come back." I spoke coldly as I tried to push passed her and back into the room. "THIS is why I left. You're nothing but a spoiled brat who needs to be taught a few lessons." She said and grabbed my wrist. "Let go of me." I growled. "I'm not a little girl anymore." Tears threatened my eyes as a memory rose to the surface.

"It will be hard, but once the hard parts over, you're gonna be the strongest girl out there, got it?"

Her face twisted, she smirked as she released my wrist. "Go home. We don't need you. We never needed you." I hissed. All the strength in my body went away as she smacked me. She hit me so hard I could feel a welt forming on my cheek. "I never want to see your face again. GO HOME." I said before walking back into the room. As I turned away I felt the tears fall from my eyes. My aunt closed the door as I sat in the empty seat next to Colby. "Are you okay?" He said and rubbed my back as I silently sobbed, covering the welt on my face with my hair. "Cora, look at me." He said causing me to look up. The hair falling away from my face. His face shifted to a sad stare, as he caressed my cheek with his hand, "she hit you." It wasn't so much a question, but a sad statement.

"You should sleep, we will wake you if there's any news." Colby played with my hair as I leaned my head on his shoulder. "I'm fine." I mumbled. My eyes were heavy but my heart was heavier. I knew my dreams would be bad, but could it be worse than the reality I was living.