Chapter 198

• Moving to the bedroom, I grab a change of clothes and then quickly rush over to the bathroom and jump into the shower. Turning the water on as hot as it goes, I begin scrubbing my skin with my body wash. Suddenly, it isn't Edward and Jessica's faces that I see, but Stacy's… Stacy's and Oliver's, the tormentors of my past, with their triumphant faces as I'm dragged away by the police officer… I drop the sponge I've been using and use my hands and nails to scrub my skin… trying to wash away his touch… That first time that should have been something special, but wasn't… their betrayal.
• "Stop!"
• My movements freeze at Edward's commanding tone and I'm suddenly brought back to reality. Looking down I can see Edward's strong hands holding my wrists as drops of blood flow down the newly made scratches on my arms. My skin is bright pink from the burning hot water, but I still feel icy cold. Edward curses as he turns off the water and before I know it, I'm wrapped in a soft towel and delicately placed on the toilet as Edward carefully inspects my already healing wounds.