This is enough to ruin my day. I've had enough for today. I can not bear more insult and I have no guts to face anybody in the house after what just happened. I walk inside the house and without looking at anybody, I just go upstairs in my room and close the door behind me.

Why is he like that ? Is it his nature? I ask myself, I feel tears coming out of my eyes. I sit against the wall.

He's a psychopath. My mind tells me.

I spend another 2 hours reading a book. Someone knocks at the door and my attention is diverted.

"Lunch is ready ma'am." Nancy's voice.

"No, Nancy I'm not hungry." I reply shortly.

"Are you sure?" She asks again.

"Yes." And the door is closed again.

I hardly get out of my bed the entire day. At night, I decide to take a shower. Maybe this will make me feel better, I think to myself.
After shower, I tie up my robe and come outside and change into my night dress. After few minutes, my phone rings. It's mom again.

"Hey, sweetheart. How are you? Can you hear me now ?" She asks.

"Yes mom I can hear you. How are you? I'm fine. " I reply, " I miss you." Tears appear in my eyes as I say it.

"Awww honey we miss you too. Tell me how's Michael and his son? Are they being nice to you and Jonah ?"

What a question.

"They are good. "

"Alice you don't sound okay. Yeah, I know you didn't want to go to Michael's but honey I did it for your safety. Please___" she starts this again and I interrupt her.

"Mom. I know. Michael is very nice to us and so is his son." I lie about the last part. "It's just that I miss you and dad." I add.

"Oh honey! But if that guy tries to hurt you, you must let me know okay?" She says

"Mom, he saved my life. Stephen is very nice." Half lie again.

"Saved your life? Alice? " now she's worried.

"Yeah, I just got drowned in the pool and he helped me out. Don't worry I'm alive now mom." I try to sound calm.

"Alice, please be careful honey. What if something would have happened to you? Thank God he was there to save you. What would I do without you dear?" I can feel she's about to cry.

"Mom.. I'm alive. Don't worry. " I try to calm her down.

"I trust you. Anyways Alice, I gotta go. You must take care. I'll speak to you soon. Goodbye baby. I love you. " she says.

"Alright. Goodbye mom. Have fun. I love you too."

And I hang up.

It's 2 AM and I can't sleep. I feel like I'm hungry. I get out of my bed and step out of the room to look for something to eat in the kitchen. As I step out, the house is dark. The lights of the library are on. Stephen's room is open but the lights are off. He's probably in the library.

Now is the time to get some answers. I finally think and walk towards the library. I push the door open and walk inside.