~LYDIA

Why did I ever decide that I could trust Joey? Why? What made me believe him? What made him think that he was a good person? That he was a kind man who loved me and was good to me?

Why did I not listen to that small voice in my head that kept whispering that Joey might be feeding me lies?

Why did I not run when I first had that brief flash of memory where someone — probably him — had hit me?

Why did I stay?

I could not believe how stupid I was. How utterly, totally gullible.

I ...