He watched and waited for what I was about to say next.

"Get out of here and don't come back." I said quietly "I don't want to see you ever again."

An exhale of his breath hit me, and the smell of whisky made me even madder.

I pointed to the door "You have never had a problem with leaving before so go."

My father did not say another word as he grabbed his jacket and walked away. He shut the front door behind him softly.

Perhaps I was reading too much into it, but the small slick of the door almost felt like an apology.

I closed my eyes and stood still until I no longer heard the footsteps in the hallway.

The apartment looked like a bomb site, and I knew I would have to tidy it up, but I did not have the energy.

I had no energy to do anything. I crouched to my knees and covered my mouth to contain the sobs.

Another knock on the door was the last straw for me.

I stood up from the floor and I marched over to the door.

I screamed shakily as I yanked it open "If you are here to tell me that I killed my mother again or call me any other names then you can go and fu—"

I stop myself from saying any more when I saw who was standing at the door.

The unexpected giant visitor took up the whole space of the doorframe.

Stone's eyes were blazing with concern. He barged past the door with no invitation and kept his eyes down on my face as he neared. He came right up to me until every part of him was almost pressed against me.

His large warm calloused hands cupped my face as he studied my expression. He looked down softly at my trembling lip and I could see the heat of his concern.

He looked past me, not letting go of my face. He scanned the room furiously and looked for the source of my tears.

"Baby, what the hell happened to you?" He rasped out.

I discovered at that moment that I did not find it difficult to be strong. I found it hard to allow someone to see me vulnerable.

"Ella." He said softly, as soft as I had ever heard his rough voice.

"I am fine." I argued as I tried to swat him away.

His warm hands remained cupping my face and his thumbs continued gently wiping my tears away.

I did not know I was crying until I pulled away and wiped my face with my hands. My palms were wet and so was my shirt with the shed tears.

Stone reached out for me again. I did not fight him. I was too exhausted, and I felt myself falling.

He caught me. His large arms wrapped around me and pressed my small self firmly into his chest.