Chapter 8
Just like everyone else, that day Officer Shred walked out of the study with this vacant, hollow look in his eyes. He was completely zoned out.]
The other cops were waiting for him to give orders, but instead, he just walked over with this weird smile and personally untied my dad’s restraints.[]
This whole thing was just a misunderstanding. I just learned that Fiona was in a car accident recently–all those hurts were from the crash, nothing to do with you at all.“]
And just like that, my dad was free to go home.
I wasn’t even shocked anymore. This was exactly what I’d expected–I’d seen this pattern play out so many times that nothing surprised me anymore.[]
I begged Officer Thorne to get me out of there ASAP. There was no way in hell I was staying in that house another minute.[]
Even though he had no clue what was happening, he respected my wishes and helped me leave.
I secretly rented an apartment across town. Didn’t tell a single friend or relative where I was living. For the first time in forever, I actually had the life I wanted. Six months later, I was snagging some snacks at the downstairs convenience store when I literally ran into Officer Shred–like, full–on shoulder bump.
He looked at me with this guilty expression–like he was begging me not to be mad.]
“I’m so sorry. I promised I’d protect you, and I totally failed.“[]
I just smiled and shook my head. “It’s okay. I know you tried your best.“[]
The truth is, nobody walks out of my dad’s study the same person they went in as. I knew Officer Shred couldn’t control himself after that.
We talked for a while. He warned me that my dad had been hunting for me non–stop these past months. “You’ve got to be careful,” he said. “If he catches you… God, I don’t even want to think about what he’d do to you this time.“[]
I nodded and thanked Officer Shred for the warning.
But the truly horrifying part? When I walked out of that convenience store, my parents were standing across the street, staring at me with these dead, unblinking eyes!
I felt panic explode in my chest. I just bolted, heart hammering against my ribs, running faster than I ever had in my life.
After sprinting several blocks, I ducked into this narrow alley to catch my breath and slammed straight into someone’s chest.
I looked up, and my blood turned to ice. It was my dad!]
Goosebumps shot up my spine and straight into my brain. His death glare locked me in place–I couldn’t even make a sound.[]
He dragged me back home.
All I remember is crying for hours that day. No matter how much I begged or pleaded, they wouldn’t untie the ropes cutting into my wrists.[]
My little sister sat beside me, cracking sunflower seeds between her teeth, totally entertained by my misery. “Can’t believe you actually tried to run away,” she snickered. “Talk about a death wish.”
The door to my room creaked open, and my dad hurried in with a doctor following close behind.
Something about the doctor seemed familiar–his concerned expression, the kindness in his eyes. He walked right over to me with this grandfatherly warmth that almost felt… hypnotic.]
The moment he saw me, his brow furrowed deeply. “Her condition is worse. I strongly recommend you bring her to the hospital for proper treatment. Delaying any longer could be dangerous.
I was totally caught off guard, thrashing like crazy against the ropes tying me down
“Let me go! There’s nothing wrong with me! Are you trying to lock me up in some hospital so you can torture me more?r
“Dad. If you hate me so much, just kill me already! Why put me through all this?“]
But instead of the beating I expected, my dad’s eyes welled up with tears. He sat beside me and wrapped his arms around me ught
My mom came in too, sniffling and wiping away tears, looking absolutely heartbroken.)
Chapter 8
ejes
“Sweetheart, you’ve got it all wrong. Your father has always loved you deeply. You’re our family–how could we ever want to hurt you or wish you dead?”
I glared at them with bloodshot eyes. “Then tell me the truth! What secret is hidden in Dad’s study?! Why does every guy who goes in there end up leaving me? Did you put some kind of curse on them?!”
Like a cornered animal, I bit down hard on my dad’s arm. He winced in pain but didn’t make a sound–just clenched his jaw and took it.
