Chapter 57

• But just as she thought she might break free, someone from the crowd threw a bucket of liquid at her. Sylvia Luke flinched, and horror flooded her senses as the foul-smelling contents drenched her. The acrid stench of urine filled her nostrils, and she felt the warmth of it seeping into her clothes, a visceral reminder of her vulnerability.
• “Bitch, you think you can run away? I’ll teach you a lesson!” The woman advanced toward her, determination gleaming in her eyes. As Sylvia Luke turned to flee, the woman shoved her hard, knocking her off balance.
• Before Sylvia Luke could recover, a sharp slap landed on her face, sending her reeling. The crowd erupted in laughter, and she felt the sting of humiliation wash over her, each chuckle piercing her like a dagger. Memories flooded back, transporting her to high school, a time when she had faced relentless bullying and ridicule. Although she had endured many things since then, she had never been physically struck like this. The laughter echoed around her like a chorus from her past, reminding her of the days when she had felt so powerless.