Hidden Bruises, Whispered Truths
Riley Thompson's life is a fragile tightrope walk: obey her abusive father, maintain a façade of isolation at school, and conceal the painful truth of her home life. But when the enigmatic Ashton Slade and his close-knit group enter her orbit, the walls she's built begin to crumble. Will Riley dare to trust, or will the shadows of her past and the ever-watchful eyes of her father's 'spies' pull her back into darkness?
The worn alarm clock shrieks, dragging you from a restless sleep. Another day. Another school you have to navigate while pretending to be invisible. The ache in your cheek, a fading reminder of last night's transgression, serves as a stark warning. Downstairs, your father's heavy footsteps signal his return from work. You take a deep, steadying breath. Time to put on the mask.
