“Look at me. Look at me and listen to me.” When I meet his gaze, he moves one hand from my face to stroke my hair back. “You were young. You were so f*****g young, and the people who were supposed to love you and protect you f****d s**t up for you. Your father used your trust and obedience to make you do terrible things because he knew you would do anything to make your daddy happy. He conditioned you for the abuse, Clara. He trained you to learn that pain is love. And I promise you, he knew exactly what Martin was doing because he probably did it to your mother.”
I don’t know which part breaks the dam. All I know is, I’m suddenly sobbing and collapsing into his arms. Demyen holds me close, his arms around me and cradling me to him as he kisses the top of my head and strokes my hair.
It’
