Scars Of A Broken Bond

Sabrina’s breath caught in her throat as she slowly rose to her feet and limped towards Galilea.

With a triumphant smile, Galilea stood and delivered a forceful slap to Sabrina’s face.

Her hand connected with Sabrina’s cheek in a sharp, stinging slap, the force of it sending Sabrina stumbling backward on her injured right foot.

Sabrina’s left cheek throbbed with a burning pain, the skin swollen and tender. The entire left side of her face, from her cheekbone to the root of her ear, felt like it was on fire.

Her back was wet with sweat, and her hair tangled and bloodied.

Dazed, Sabrina slowly pushed herself up from the floor and sat back on the sofa. In a hoarse voice, she said, “Can we get down to business now?”

on the loose for so many years. It doesn’t matter to me anymore. I buried the hatchet many years ago. Why should

you don’t want to help me? Those kidnappers have committed heinous crimes.

father. But what of it? That was your father, not mine. I have no desire to

of the father-daughter relationship was

of

be a sight to

attitude fueled Sabrina’s

voice, “My father became a target because he wanted to rescue the hostage quickly and took photos of the kidnappers. He died because of you. If he wasn’t killed in the accident, the kidnappers might already be in jail. I don’t expect you to thank him, but don’t you have any sympathy for him? Can’t you fathom the loss of a man dedicated to justice and caring for others, his death

Galilea responded, “You

and