Helanie:
I half expected her hand to land hard on my cheek and knock me down. But when that didn't happen and I found Norman standing beside me, I thought he might have stopped her from hitting me. But that wasn't the truth either. He had indeed arrived to prevent the slap, but it was Jessica herself who had stopped her hand.
"I can't even hit you," she muttered, tears falling down her face.
"Jessica, it's not her fault," Norman stepped between us and gently held my hand to pull me behind him. I saw Jessica watching his hand over mine and I instantly pulled away from his grip.
She was noticing every single move so closely that it started to worry me.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt her, Norman. I'm hurt and sad, but I know it's not her fault," she explained, as if justifying why she had stopped herself from hitting me.
"Can I come inside? I feel even more humiliated not being allowed into a room filled with things I chose," she asked me directly, making Norman scoff.
