You Are Too Weak

‘What is it?’ He held my face with both hands and refused to let me look away. ‘Something’s obviously bothering you.’ My throat went dry. I had less than twenty-four hours till the deadline Rainey gave me. What was I supposed to do? Kieran noticed my trembling shoulders. ‘Amiyah, take a deep breath.’ I did. ‘Tell me what happened.’ His hands were warm and strong and gave me the courage to come clean. ‘Rainey, she…she wanted me to get an abortion. She forced me to leave Lisbern. If I don’t do what she says, she’s going to…she’s going to starve Grandpa to death.’ I broke down in tears. ‘What?’ He shook my shoulders. ‘When did this happen?’ ‘Two days ago.’ ‘Why didn’t you tell me sooner?’ He was livid. ‘She said she’d kill Grandpa if I told you.’ I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying. ‘What the hell is wrong with you?’ He rapped my forehead with a knuckle. ‘Why would you listen to her? You should have come to me the moment she threatened you.’ He squeezed my shoulders. ‘Leave this