Chapter 33

The pain in my head has taken over my entire body, and I can't think straight.

With intense agony pulsing through me, I let out a guttural moan and struggle to get off the bed. Crawling across the soft carpet on my hands and knees, tears stream down my face and my breaths come out in short gasps.

"Tia," I say, but it comes out hoarse from the screaming.

After Tia was punched, she bent down and grabbed the knife that was knocked out of her hand. She charged toward me and all I could think was please don't hurt my boys, and my little girl, Sophia. The one night I sent Donnie away might cost me my life and the lives of those I love. But the blade didn't pierce my skin; instead, she said something about making me suffer a fate worse than death before she smacked me in the head with the blunt end of the knife.

"Tia," I rasp out, crawling my way to her. A chilling sight meets my eyes. A pool of crimson is gradually spreading beneath Tia.

"Tia," I cry, but she's not moving. "Tia, please wake up!"

I need to get my phone. "I'm going to get you help," I mutter.

Despite my overwhelming pain, I force myself to keep moving toward the bathroom. Finally, I arrive, and the relief washes over me like a wave when I spot my cellphone on the counter. Trying to stand up, I grab the cabinet, but a sudden swell of dizziness hits me hard, and I stumble backward, collapsing onto the cold, hard tile floor.

I try to scream, but the pain is unbearable. I reach to rub my head, hoping to ease the pain, and panic sets in when I feel something wet. When I raise my hands to my face to see what it is, I cry harder.

Blood.

My throat feels constricted, and my heart beats like a drum. I summon all the strength in my lungs and let out an ear-piercing scream, hoping against hope that someone will hear me. But then my body convulses violently, my head colliding with the nearby cabinet. As I slump to the floor, I feel my consciousness slipping away from me.

I hear banging and terrified voices in the darkness of the fog.

"Sade!"

"Jesus fuck!"

"Tia!"

"Call an ambulance, for fuck"s sake!"

I try to open my eyes, but they feel sticky and heavy, as if they've been glued together.

"Jo?" I try to speak, but his name comes out in a mumble, like I am under the effects of anesthesia.

"Sade, hang on, okay? Just hang on," Jo says in a strained voice.

I feel a pair of sturdy arms enveloping me, providing a sense of security amid the chaos. My brother"s calm and reassuring voice reaches my ear as he whispers, "Don"t worry, sis. We"ll get you the help you need. Just hold on tight.