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chapter no. 0
Juliette was six the first time her father hit her.
It wasn't just a hit on the wrist in warning or soft pinch on the side. Marcus Richardson had slapped his six-year-old daughter across the face.
"Why did you do that, daddy?" asked a young Juliette, her hand pressed to where she had been struck, attempting to keep her tears in.
"Never let him see you cry." Elise Richardson murmured those words to her daughter every single night, almost like a prayer. She was reminding herself and her daughter.
Juliette had heard their arguments, her mother's screams in terror. She hid in her closet so she couldn't be found. Marcus had never turned his anger on his little girl, but it had been bound to happen eventually.
She watched his seething expression, her chest tight with anxiety, praying her mother would get home soon. She had only been coloring. She wanted to show her father a picture.
"I told you to be quiet, Juliette," he hissed, clenching his jaw, hands balled into fists at his sides.
Her eyes widened at the sight of his fists and she looked up at him. "I'm sorry, daddy..." she mumbled, hanging her head.
The sound of a car outside made her tense, even though she knew it was her mother. "To your room. Now."
Juliette nodded, fear spreading through her body at the tone of his voice. She scrambled up the stairs, tears finally falling down her cheeks as she retreated to her bedroom. As soon as the front door closed downstairs, the yelling started.
The young girl climbed into her closet, legs clutched to her chest as she listened to her father's anger and her mother's defenseless screams. It seemed like forever until Juliette heard the gentle footsteps of her mother, the floorboards creaking under her feet.
The door to her bedroom squeaked as it opened, a clicking sound as it shut.
"Ettie? Come on out, baby, it's mama..." Elise spoke gently, coaxing her daughter from the hiding place where she'd find Juliette way too often.
Slowly, Juliette uncurled her body, opening her closet door, and stepping out to face her mother.
They looked almost the same. Brown eyes, brown hair, slightly tanned skin. Their tear tracks matched too, the only difference is that Elise had a lot more bruises to hide.
"Oh, baby..." Elise said, her voice wavering, her eyes glossy with a fresh set of tears.
The softest sob escaped the young girl's lips, lifting her arms to her mother. Without a second thought, Elise scooped her daughter into her arms, holding her tightly as Juliette buried her face into her mother's shoulder.