Chapter 28. More bruises

TRIGGER Warning: violence against women Adeline couldn't stay long with her family after that. She didn't want to infect them with the ugliness from her past that came back to infect her like black mold once more. "Adeline?" Steph grabbed her shoulder before she reached the door. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost." Adeline almost jumped, her stepfather's threat still ringing in her ears. She needed to get away from this house as quickly as possible. She was cursed. "It's my mom, Steph. I gotta go back to Detroit. She's really sick." Stephanie's lovely face crumpled with concern. "Oh, angel. I'm sorry to hear that. What about Tommy? Will he let you go?" Adeline's heart plunged to her stomach. "He'll have to. We're talking about my mom, Steph." Her stepmother looked at her with pity. "I hope you're right. Do you need money? Stay here." She left before Adeline could object. Once she returned, she pressed a wad of hundred dollar bills into Addie's hand. "That's all the ready