Chapter 1 - The Public Humiliation
Rubbing alcohol hit my face before anyone said welcome home.
Three sharp sprays.
My eyes slammed shut as the burning liquid soaked the faded orange prison-release jumpsuit I'd been wearing for less than an hour.
"It’s to wash off the smell of prison," Sheila announced loudly, smiling as if humiliating me were part of the afternoon entertainment.
She stood on the front porch, one hand resting on her pregnant belly, the other squeezing the clear spray bottle again.
Behind her, my mother Abigail folded her arms.
She didn't stop it.
She watched.
Austin stood beside her without moving.
My own brother couldn't even look me in the eye.
Neighbors slowed their cars.
Someone across the street opened a curtain.
I tightened my grip around my suitcase until my fingers hurt.
For exactly one second, I let them believe they had broken me.
Then I wiped my face, lifted my head...
...and looked directly at Austin.
"Look at me, Austin."
His eyes dropped instantly.
May you like
He already knew why I'd come back.
👉 Austin's reaction told me one thing—he wasn't afraid of me. He was afraid of what I had brought home.
