14.

Sophie:
With everything that happened I didn't have a chance to open my birthday presents.
I put all the gifts on the kitchen table and start unwrapping them.

The second gift I open is from Bill. He put a little note with it, making sure I know it's his.
I open the blue square box and see a silver necklace and matching earrings.
Even after all these years, he still knows exactly what I like.

I have two gifts left and one in particular catches my eye.
I open it and a little note falls on the ground.
I pick the note up and read it:

"This made me think of you.
Happy birthday! xxx Tom"

I take the wrapper of and I look at it with big eyes and my mouth falls open.
I'm looking for this book since I was 16 or something. Where did he even find it?

I start looking through the book with a big smile on my face. Oh my god! I can't believe I finally have this book in my hands! And I can't believe he actually remembered.

I startle when the book gets yanked out of my hands. "What is this?" Marco looks at me, his eyes full of anger.
"It's just a birthday gift." I say quietly. I notice his eyes catch the little note on the table. He grabs my arm and throws the book on the ground. I startle and briefly close my eyes.

He slaps the back of his hand across my face, making me fall to the ground.

I place my hand on my cheek, tears forming in my eyes, holding them back as much as possible.
He hates it when I cry.
He walks closer to me, kneeling down next to me, his elbows resting on his legs.

I look at him and he looks back at me with a smirk on his face.
"Why you always make me do this?"
I lower my eyes, making it harder to hold back my tears.

"Look at me!" He says in a commanding tone.
I do as he says, my hand still on my cheek.
"You know I don't wanna hurt you, you make me do it."
"I'm sorry." I say, my voice shaky.


Tom:
It's been two week since I saw Sophie.
I send her a text a few days ago, but no response.

I took my dog to the park for a walk and I have to admit, I hope I will run into her.
This is the same day and time I ran into her last time, so I am hopeful.

After 30 minutes I finally see her.
I get a little smile on my face as I see her running a few meters away from me.
I change directions, to make sure she will see me.

When her eyes meet mine she slows down and walks my way. "Tom." She says, her breathing still heavy from running.
"Hi," I say softly. "you wanna sit down for a moment?"

I look at her as she is petting my dog and she nods without looking at me.
We sit down at the bench nearby, my dog laying down next to my feet.

"Thank you for the book." She says, looking at me.
"I hope you didn't already have it."
She shakes her head. "No, I stopped looking for it years ago."

I smile at her.
"I'm surprised you even remembered." She says and looks away a little shyly.

"How was the talk with Marco?' I ask, not sure I wanna know the answer.
She shrugs her shoulders. "Fine."
"Fine? As in you are still together?"
She nods and looks away, focussing her gaze on my dog.

"But he cheated on you." I say confused.
"I guess I cheated on him to." She mumbles.
"You did?"
"I kissed you, remember."
"After you caught him cheating. I don't think that even counts as cheating."

She shrugs, again.
"I think you deserve better."
"Maybe it's my fault."
I look at her furrowed. "What is?"
"The fact he cheated."

"That's bullshit." I say firmly. "Of course its not your fault."
"I don't know. Doesn't matter anymore."
I look at her, but she avoids my gaze, staring in front of her.

"I should finish my run." She says, looking at me with a little smile on her face.
"You wanna meet up tonight?" I ask quickly as she stands up and I get up as well.
"Uhm, maybe, I'll text you."
She walks away from me and starts running.


Sophie:
"Hi, babe." I say and give him a kiss as I walk passed him.
"Where were you?!" Marco asks and looks at me with an angry look on his face.
"What do you mean? You know I went for a run."
I look at him a little confused.

"I know you don't run for that long, so I ask you again, where were you?" He gets up and walks my way, the look on his face even more angry.
Automatically, I take a step back.

"I.. I ran into a friend, that's all."
"What friend?"
I hesitate for a moment, but it's better not to lie, I think. "Tom, he was walking his dog."
I try to hide how scared I actually am, trying not to do or say anything that will make him angrier.

When he stays quiet I turn around to walk away but he grabs my hair and pulls me back.
"YOU STUPID WHORE!" He yells and throws me onto the ground.

I scream and fall on the edge of the table next to the couch.

My breath catches for a moment due to the impact of the fall, and I gasp for air.
Before I get a chance to recover two strong arms pull me back up.

"THIS IS YOUR FAULT, YOU HEAR ME! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR BEING A SLUT!"
He let's go of me and I fall to the ground, having difficulty to breath, an intense pain coursing through my body.