Despite being worn down by years of booze and smoke, Dylan still had more strength than I could muster. I fought and screamed with all my might, but no one came to my rescue.

Dylan was busy stripping off his clothes, grinning as he said, "Don't waste your energy.

"The circus is in town for a show tonight," he explained. "Everyone's at the performance.

"And once the curtain goes up, who's gonna hear you scream?"

A shiver ran through me. He and Aunt Jessica had this all figured out. Aunt Jessica kept my mom distracted, and he took the opportunity to force himself on me when no one was around.

As Dylan's creepy face got closer, I found a surge of strength I didn't know I had. The window latch binding my hands snapped off with a fierce yank.

Our windows were on the verge of falling apart. The wood mostly decayed from years of neglect. We'd been planning to replace them when my dad came back for the holidays, but that delay ended up saving my life.

The glass crashed onto the bed, sending splinters flying and cutting me all over. Ignoring the pain, I didn't hesitate, kicking Dylan right in the crotch with all my force.

Dylan let out a guttural cry, doubling over in pain.

I jumped off the bed and sprinted for the town square where the show was happening, my bare feet tearing through the rough, icy ground, leaving a trail of blood behind me. But I didn't dare slow down.

Soon, someone spotted me, racing in the freezing cold in just a thin shirt.

"Hey, isn't that Owen's niece, Phoebe?" someone shouted.

"Quick, she looks like she's about to faint," another voice added.

"Get her to the hospital!"

The buzz of voices enveloped me as I finally let myself collapse, relieved that I'd been saved.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw my mom sitting beside me, tears streaming down her face.

Every part of me ached, and my throat felt like it was on fire. After sipping some water, I managed to ask in a raspy voice, "Mom, why are you crying?"

Her tears flowed even more as she replied, "I shouldn't have trusted Jessica and Dylan." She gently touched my face with her calloused hands. "Because of me, you had to go through this."

Aunt Jessica was standing nearby and scoffed. "Faith, you're not being fair."

"This was all for Phoebe's own good," she continued. "Honestly, you shouldn't have sent her to college in the first place. Look at what came of it—she's fragile, and now she dares to hit a man."

"She's the reason Dylan's still in the hospital."

Her eyes were filled with disdain, clearly angry that I hadn't listened to her and that things had escalated so badly. I was about to argue back when I noticed my mom's grip tightening on my hand.

Aunt Jessica didn't seem to notice that she was pushing my mom's limits.

Without warning, there was a loud "smack" as my mom delivered a heavy slap to Aunt Jessica's face. Having worked on the farm for years, my mom's strength was considerable. Aunt Jessica's face swelled up quickly from the impact.

"Get out!" my mom shouted in a hoarse voice, not giving Jessica a chance to respond. "Get out, and if I see you near Phoebe again, I swear I'll tear you apart."

Her face was a mask of fury, like a mother wolf defending her cubs. Aunt Jessica, momentarily stunned by my mom's anger, backed away.

After a few moments, she managed to yell, "How dare you hit me? You'll regret this…" She continued to curse as she retreated, clearly intimidated.

I watched as she spat on the floor before leaving, the spit tinged with a hint of blood.

My injuries were mostly superficial, and the doctor soon cleared me to leave the hospital.

When we arrived home, Mom helped me out of the car. Several elderly women, who had gathered around, gave me disapproving looks.

I frowned, sensing that something was off.

As soon as we walked in, we heard a commotion. Mom opened the door to find Aunt Jessica, along with Uncle Aidan, Uncle Owen, and even Grandma, who was in a wheelchair.

Since coming back from the hospital, Mom had been unusually quiet. She silently let everyone in.

No sooner had they entered than Uncle Aidan started in on Mom. "I hear you hit Jessica?"

I gave a bitter laugh. "Uncle Aidan, maybe you should ask if Aunt Jessica did something to deserve it?"

Uncle Aidan, known for his short temper, raised his hand to hit me. Mom quickly stepped in front of me, glaring at him without flinching.

Grandma intervened, her voice calm but firm. "Aidan, sit down."

Seeing Mom's determined look, Grandma sighed. "It was Jessica's fault."

Aunt Jessica's face flushed with anger, and Mom looked up, clearly taken aback.

Grandma had four children—two sons and two daughters. Mom was the youngest and had always felt neglected, especially after a difficult childbirth. This neglect led to Mom's submissive nature, always deferring to Aunt Jessica and her brothers.

After Mom married and we fell on hard times, Grandma's indifference grew. She rarely spoke up for Mom, which Mom was painfully aware of.

Seeing Grandma's rare kindness almost made Mom cry.

But then Grandma's tone turned harsh. "But now the damage is done. Phoebe and Dylan have slept together; her reputation is ruined. No one will want her now.

"And the whole village knows. I say, let her marry Dylan."