"Nicole, it was your first time, it was supposed to hurt."
"It was?" she asked. "I guess next you're going to say I shouldn't tell anybody. Or it's our secret?" Tears welled up in her eyes at the horrible memories of Marvin's words.
"No. I'm not him. I'm not your uncle." He sounded hurt, but she didn't care. He'd hurt her.
She found a drawer with some jogging suits and grabbed a shirt and pair of pants, then slipped them on. "I'm leaving. I'm going back home and you aren't going to stop me."
"Dammit Nicole-"
"If you aren't going to stop me, then don't stand in my way, Ethan."
He came over to her. She was being stubborn and hardheaded. Was she crazy? Did she understand Marvin could kill her? "Do you even care about your own life, Nicole?"
"Not when Nanna's life means a lot more to me. She means more to me than my own, because she fought so hard for me to be here, Ethan. If I could I would give my heart to her to make her better. Don't you understand?" she cried tears streaming down her cheek.
He pulled her in his arms to hold her. "Yes Nicole, I do. I'll help." His kissed her cheek as her arms went around his neck in appreciation for his understanding.