Chapter 47 #2
Dad turned and smiled at her. “Yes, Cindy,” he said, then looked at Tshabina and me. “Show some respect for the meal before you.”
You’re the one who brought rot to this table.
Zeraiah hissed, scoffing under his breath. I could feel Tshabina’s eyes find me again, but mine stayed locked on Cindy. I let every ounce of hate, rage, and vengeance pour out through my eyes.
“It’s not nice, baby,” Cindy said, her voice calm but heavy with pressure, drawing every eye back to her. “I didn’t come all this way to see that expression from you.”
I curled my lip. Instead, I’ll give you a hundred times worse than this.
Do you know why I never answer you? Because I won’t feed you, you fucking leech.
Zeraiah snorted. He stared at her as if she were a fly landing on his meal. But before he could retort, Cindy spoke again. “Why are you running away from me, Zioh?”
I laughed, rubbing my forehead. My breath came sharp as I locked my eyes with her. Fine. Just once. “Running away? Funny word,” I spat. “I’m not running away. Because there was never anything between us. You fucking leech.”
Her face flushed, and Zeraiah chuckled at her side. Cindy’s grip tightened around her fork and knife, her hands trembling.
“You remember, don’t you? You promised so many things to me?” She hissed, and her smile grew. “Hm?”
I never did.
You promised many things, and you broke them. You ran, Zioh.
My breath hitched.
Cindy smiled wider, waiting for me to speak. Everyone was watching her and me, even Tshabina. I felt her eyes on me, shaking, doubting.
Again, I’d hurt her.
She must’ve been looking at me with the same look... the one they all had.
I kept staring at Cindy. Everything around me started to blur into emptiness, hollow and confusing.
No, no, no, I—
Did I?
“You promised you’d always protect me. You promised you’d take responsibility for me,” Cindy snapped. Her eyes were boring straight into me as if she could crawl inside.
I fought to think, to resist, but it felt like I’d already made a mistake. “You promised to cook for me, drive me, stay with me, give me everything I wanted, to love me, that I’d be your only, forever!” she screamed, slamming her hands against the table, and a glass tipped and shattered.
Did I… did I really say that?
Yes.
I could feel the pulse hammering in my neck. My gaze locked on her, trying to process the storm of her words. I didn’t know anymore…
I couldn’t tell what was real and what was just a trick of my head.
The silence stretched too long.
Then Zeraiah’s sharp laugh rang through the air. “Okay, that’s it.” He surged to his feet, filling his glass to the brim. Before anyone could react, Zeraiah tipped it, drenching Cindy in a dark stream of wine.
Cindy shrieked as the cold liquid hit her, stumbling back while her chair scraped harshly against the floor. “You fucking stupid wanker!” she spat, her breath ragged.
A dark satisfaction settled on my younger brother’s face; his eyes glinted with the thrill of a long-awaited strike. When Dad moved to stop him, Zeraiah sneered. “Oh… that’s new.” He leaned close, dripping scorn. “Usually you call me a tosser.”
Her face flushed crimson. “That’s right! You’re also a bloody stupid tosser!” she screamed, lunging at him. But before her hands could reach him, Zeraiah grabbed her hair and yanked hard, jerking her back.
Cindy cried out, making Zeraiah smile, a hint of darkness flickering there. His eyes glittered with old rage. He leaned in, hissing into her face. “And you’re a fucking bitch.”
His grip tightened, pulling harder as she screamed. “Nasty piece of work, fucking urchin, witch, whore, devil, viper, hooker, fucking slag.” He spat the words like venom. “Need more? Because don’t worry bitch, I’ve got a dozen pet names for you.”
I turned my glare on Dad, who stood red with fury. I hoped he enjoyed the mess he’d made.
Dad roared, shouting both Cindy’s and Zeraiah’s names. Behind them, Tsabinu hovered, ready to step in but holding back, his eyes locked on Zeraiah.
How funny… my father always raged at the disasters he himself had created.
I shook my head, fighting for breath. Then Tshabina’s hand clutched mine, warm and steady. I looked at her, and with sudden force she pulled me up.
She gave me what I’d begged for.
We ran.
It’s okay to be tired. It’s alright to rest, Zioh. Because when you’re weary, I’ll be the strong one. I’ll carry you, and we’ll walk forward together. Red. 32.
Hand in hand, we fled. Out of the dining room. Out of this hell.
I glanced back, Zaeem’s eyes tracking Tshabina and me, then Cindy screaming my name. Tsabinu’s gaze was heavy with meaning as he watched us go. Cindy tore free of Zeraiah and lunged after us, but she stumbled.
Zaeem. He’d tripped her.
His glare burned into her, dark and threatening, promising dire consequences. Cindy screamed louder, her voice carrying even as we fled. “You’ve got power, Zaeem! You could destroy me, but you don’t. Why?! Because you know I have both of your brothers’ keys. Upset me, and I’ll ruin them both—”
Zaeem cursed.
Her voice rose higher, shrieking after us. “Tshabina, you’re a fucking slag! You’ll regret it. You all will regret it!!!”