Chapter 34
THIRTY-FOUR
“Oh darling, don’t cry.” Her mother cradled her face in both hands. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
She shook her head vigorously, wriggling away from her mother’s touch.
Frustration burned over every inch of her skin.
There was no holding back her anguish. She had tried.
Had tried to be everything her mother needed.
Making herself small and silent. No trouble.
She would never say aloud the worst parts that she’d stayed quiet about, but her questions came pouring out now, in this cold room that was slowly killing what little was left of her soul.
“Why? Why were you with him? How could you even let him touch you? Dad was a good man but him—he’s…” she shuddered violently. “Evil.”
Her mother’s jaw dropped open, which only made her more infuriated. Had her mother truly never seen what he was like? Was this really a surprise to her? Or was she just shocked that her pliable, pleasing daughter was finally calling her out on it?
“It—it was a mis-mistake,” her mother stammered. “I was lonely and he came along and, well, he wasn’t always like this. I’m sorry. Maybe you’ll understand when you’re older. There is nothing I regret more than this but right now, I can’t look back. I can only try to fix it.”
More tears streamed down her face. Snot leaked from her nostrils. She was so tired of crying. “You don’t understand. You can’t fix this. It’s too late. Much too late.”