son, I felt an uneasy knot tighten in my stomach. My heart hammered

sume the worst, but

could

was empty. At a point, I started to feel frustrated. Just as I was abo

guest room at the end of the hallway, a room we rarely used, a room that was

ked closer. . I reached the door, my hand trem

le the breath

nn, my mother's best friend. They were

the ground had opened beneath me, and I was fallin

at the sight of them. I couldn't help the anger that I felt. I felt as

heir idea

ed out, my vo

noticed me standing there. My father'

doing here?"

our wife was just buried, Dad. You didn't e

de with shock. I felt a so much hatred as I look

ctically my mother's sister. You're

ed as he stepped protec

peak to her like

t?" I repeated, my voice ris

inside me. "How long, Dad? How long have

king at the back of my eyes. An ache spread in my chest as I realize

he do this to my

pered, my voice breaking.

" my fath

ely able to see through the tears that blurred my vision. My mind raced w

d brother, Mason, came running toward me. His sma

d, forcing a smile. I h

looking up at me with thos

away my tears. "He's... busy

ng at his eyes as they consoled him. The sight filled me with a new

more disappointed than

-

rything I'd seen and heard. I couldn't bring myself to go to school; I didn't want to see an

, had moved into our house. I could barely breathe a

they be so

b. The feeling of betray

houghts. "Get up and make breakfast," my

I was an afterthought to him, something tolerated but not loved. I could feel i

sh back the fear and sadness I felt

e plates to the dining room, I saw them-my father and Ann, sitting together, laughing softly and sharing kisses like the

t of them. While pouring water into Ann's glass, my

I mumbled

e bitch!"

nd slapped me hard across the face. My cheek stu

mean to-" I

hat on purpose. Get used to it, bec

d me or something. "Dad... please... are you

't even l

room," he mu

an down the hall. Anger, sadness, and betrayal settled inside me, suff

. I didn't know how I'd survive this, how I'd get through each day w

I could wake up from this nightmare. But no matter ho

s my li

e to deal