Chapter 5
I’ve thought about moving out, like, a hundred times–but Dad watches me like a damn hawk. He’s terrified I’ll run off and marry some guy the second I’m gone. He’s made it super clear: if I dare try to move out and he catches me? I’ll be begging for death.
Just thinking about that study of his makes my skin crawl. Literal shivers.
I looped my arm through Mom’s, putting on my best daughter voice.
“Mom? Would you do literally anything I ask? For real?”
Mom ran her hand through my hair in that gentle way that’s just hers–like she could heal every wound with just a touch. “Of course, Fiona. You’re my baby girl. Whatever you need, I’m there.“]
I looked straight into her eyes, dead serious.
“Then promise me–swear to me–you won’t ever go into Dad’s study. Can you do that for me?”
“Is your father hiding something in there?“]
don’t know! Just… please don’t go in there! Promise me?”
“Hey, hey, calm down, sweetie. If that’s what you want, then I won’t go in. I promise.“]
“Mom, you’re the only one who still cares about me.‘
“And I always will, baby. Always.“]
Mom looked so serious when she said it. I really believed her.
If she stayed away from Dad’s study, she wouldn’t get brainwashed like everyone else. She’d keep loving me the way she always had.
She even said Dad was just stubborn and antisocial, told me not to take it personally. Then she dropped the bomb that she’d already set me up with this amazing guy on a dating site. “What parent doesn’t want their daughter to get married?” she sneered. “It’s ridiculous!”
I felt this huge wave of relief hit me and agreed to meet the guy that weekend.[]
But the next day? Mom canceled the whole thing–no explanation, just poof, it was gone.
We were supposed to eat breakfast together early, but she never woke me up. I slept till noon.
I thought she’d just gotten busy at the shop. But the instant I opened my bedroom door? WHAM! She hurled a bowl from the dining table straight at my head.] My forehead exploded with pain, blood dripping onto the floor.
Dad was right there, veins bulging on his forehead like they might burst.
“All you do is sleep ali day, you lazy piece of shit! Why don’t you just sleep forever so I can finally bury you!”
Terror and hurt crashed over me like a tidal wave. Tears streamed down my face like I couldn’t turn off the faucet.]
And Mom? She just sat at the table, munching on her steaks like nothing was happening. Like I didn’t even exist anymore.[]
Dad had this gross, smug look as he snatched his leather whip and started lashing me. The pain? Felt like fire eating my skin alive.[]
I sobbed uncontrollably.
“Dad, what the hell did I do wrong?! You’ve spent YEARS destroying every relationship I’ve ever had, and now what–you actually want to beat me to death?!–]]
Every time he breathed, his nose flared–like he was practically eating his own anger.]
“Better if you were dead!” he spat.]
“Every time I see your face, I want to tear you apart, limb by limb!“]
“You want to get married so bad? How about after you’re dead–I’ll arrange a ghost marriage for you!“]
The whip cut through the air, ripping my skin wide open. Blood sprayed everywhere–hell, it even hit the ceiling.
The pain was so bad it blinded me–I couldn’t stop screaming till my voice gave out. My body thrashed like I had no control, every thought drowned out by the
Chapter 5
sheer agony.
Mom just kept scrolling through TikTok, I cracking up every now and then. She couldn’t care less if I lived or died.
Using my last bit of strength, I dragged myself over to Mom.
“Mom, please make him stop! He’s going to kill me!“]]
いつ
I thought she’d finally snap out of it–like, push Dad away and wrap me in her arms to protect me.
But she didn’t move a muscle.]]
Just gave me this annoyed side–eye, like I was bothering her during her TikTok break.]
“You’re always getting on your dad’s nerves. What do you expect? He has every right to teach
you a lesson.”
My head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, my arms were shaking like I’d just run a marathon.]
That’s when it hit me–Mom had been in Dad’s study too!]
I cried so hard I could barely breathe.],
“Mom, tell me the truth! You went into Dad’s study, didn’t you?!“[]
