Aliyah’s POV

Pain throbbed through every inch of my body. My ribs ached with every breath, my face burned where his hands had struck, and my arms felt heavy, bruised, and useless. Cohen had hurt me so badly that I could barely feel my own skin. My vision blurred from the tears that had dried on my cheeks hours ago, leaving behind the bitter taste of salt and despair.

He had tried again, forcing his weight on me, trying to take what was never his. His breath had reeked of whiskey and cruelty ...