Chapter 49 To Protect My Innocence

• The world around me seems to fade away as I stare at the now cold food on my plate. Despite the emptiness inside me, the longer I look, the less appealing it becomes.
• I glance at Efrem from the corner of my eye. He hasn’t stopped watching me since we sat down for dinner. Somehow, it doesn’t bother me. In fact, I hardly notice it, just as I barely register the silence that once seemed deafening.
• After storming out of the living room earlier, I’d retreated to the bedroom until Matvey informed me that Deonta’e and Amara had left. Now it’s just Efrem and me at the dinner table. Part of me wishes they had stayed, if only so he’d have someone else to talk to instead of scrutinizing me.