Elaine's POV
(Back to present)
I don't wait for him to dismiss me, the moment he says he'll deal with Aaron later, something in me tightens and then goes completely still, I just nod once like I accept it, then I walk away before my face gives me away.
I shut the bedroom door behind me and lean against it for a second. Then I peel my shirt off first, it sticks to my skin and I wince as I lift it over my head. There's a bruise forming across my collarbone, already turning that ugly purple-yellow shade.m, I touch it lightly and hiss.
I should've stayed home and I shouldn't have dragged Aaron into it.
I shouldn't...
I step into the bathroom and turn the shower on before the spiral can get worse. The water runs hot, almost scalding. I stand under it without moving, letting it hit the top of my head and run down my face, my neck, my back.
