EMMA
"What was Mum talking about?" Ian asked, his tone sharp as we approached the car. I ignored him, eyes locked ahead, searching for the handle like it could somehow teleport me home.
"Are you going to drive me, or should I find my way?" I muttered.
He didn't answer at first.
Then, "Emma… is it true? Did you try to hit my mum?"
I froze. My fingers curled into fists at my sides.
"She pissed me off," I snapped. "Yeah, I wanted to. But I didn't, Ian. I never did. So you don't have to…"
He moved so fast, I didn't see it coming.
His hand wrapped around my neck and slammed me against the wall.
I gasped…. air slicing out of my lungs like a scream without sound.
"How dare you talk about my mother like that?" he growled, his face inches from mine. I clawed at his hands, my body thrashing as panic flooded through me. But he only tightened his grip.
"I… I was defending myself!" I choked. "You're hurting me!"
