Chapter 8
When I didn’t move, she grabbed a crystal vase from the nightstand and hurled it at my head. I dodged, and it shattered against the wall.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” she screamed, her voice raw. “Get out!”
“GET OUT! I said GET OUT! Just die somewhere and never come back!“]]
Her shouts dissolved into heaving sobs that shook her entire body.[]
Just then, Dad burst in, looking like he’d hurried here–his shirt misbuttoned.[]
But when he looked at Mom, I saw something unexpected: not concern, but thinly veiled anger.[]
He ordered all three of us out, practically shoving us through the doorway.[]
But I remembered that video–the one I’d caught a glimpse of the night I tried to escape, the evidence I needed to confirm my darkest suspicions.]
I lingered by the door, peering through the crack.[]
SMACK!
The sound of an open palm connecting with flesh made me jump.[]
My father had slapped my mother across the face with enough force to snap her head sideways.[]
“You worthless bitch!” he snarled, his entire body trembling with rage. “Why couldn’t you protect my fucking child?!“]
Mom held her reddened cheek, eyes burning with a hatred I’d never seen directed at him before.]
This was new territory. In my memory, they’d always been the picture–perfect couple.]
darkened
My mom’s defiant glare only enraged him further–his face darkened to a dangerous purple.[]
“Caroline,” he hissed through clenched teeth, “didn’t I explicitly tell you to protect this child?!“]
“I’ve been way too goddamn lenient with you–now you cross the line?!“]
Dad was visibly shaking with barely–contained fury while Mom stared back with cold, scornful indifference.[]
Her unrepentant posture pushed him over the edge. He lunged forward, wrapping his manicured fingers around her throat.]]
“You pathetic excuse for a woman! Since the baby’s gone, either you die with it, or you fucking give me another one!“[]
I could see his grip wasn’t tight enough to actually choke her–he just wanted to intimidate her into submission.[]
He really wanted that daughter. Desperately.[]
Chapter 8
But Mom didn’t cave. Instead, she gathered what moisture remained in her mouth and spat directly into his face.[]
The saliva that landed on his perfectly clean–shaven cheek was streaked with crimson.[]
Her eyes flashed dangerously as she snarled through clenched teeth:[]
“Mitchell, you’re fucking delusional!“]
“That fetus deserved to die! It should have died!“[]
The venom in her voice when cursing that unborn child mirrored exactly how she’d always spoken to me.[]
Something heavy settled in my chest, making each breath feel like drawing air through wet concrete.]]
Dad’s hand flew again, connecting with her face so hard she sprawled onto the floor. He pulled out a monogrammed handkerchief, disgustedly wiping her saliva from his face before delivering a vicious kick to her stomach.[]
“Pathetic bitch–you need to learn your place!“[]
Mom clutched her abdomen, letting out a hollow, chilling laugh.[]
“I’m pathetic? Look in the mirror! What kind of sick freak preys on his own daughters?! You’re not even human–you’re a goddamn monster!“]
Dad’s pupils dilated violently, his breath catching in his throat. “What. Did. You. Just. Say?” Each word dropped like ice into the suddenly still room.]
Struggling to her feet, Mom spat, “No. A monster would have shame. You? You’re just a depraved, twisted pedophile.“]
Something in him snapped. Veins bulged at his temples, his eyes flooding bloodshot.]
“YOU LYING WHORE–WHO TOLD YOU?!“]
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