Arrick smooths a finger down my cheek as a stray tear manages to escape without permission, ignoring my outburst as something I do when I’m in pain because he’s seen it all before. I bite my bottom lip, trying hard to curb the urge to push him away. I don’t want his hands on me if all he will do is let me down again.

“Don’t let that bastard take your life, Mimmo, don’t let what he did ruin any chance of a future. You’re stronger than this. You always were, and this is ...