Grace approached me and hugged me tightly. I cried on her shoulder like a little girl; the slap on my cheek didn't hurt as much as the pain I felt in my soul.

"Why did you do it, Kat? You didn't deserve something like this," she said to me as she held me close.

I began to sob, unable to answer, not feeling capable of speaking; the tears and the huge lump in my throat prevented it.

"He hates me," I managed to say.

Grace pulled me away from her and looked into my eyes; then, she gently caressed my bruised cheek.

"He shouldn't have hit you. I know you...