by J Grace
“How dare you raise your voice to me, girl! I’ll not sit here and let you speak to me that way. Who do you think you are? After everything we’ve done for you. After we took you in, that you can stand there and speak to me in such a disrespectful manner is appalling.”
“Took me in? What does that even mean? I’m your daughter! And what’s the matter mother, are you upset because you’ll no longer have me tied to your verbal whipping post? Well, too bad! Get used to it. Your daughter is no longer the weak, scared little girl you remember and I’ll never be that way again.” My chest was heaving and despite my brave words I was terrified. But I refused to back down. I had seen what life was like without being verbally beat down and I would never allow that again.
She muttered something unintelligible to me, but my dad’s face paled at her words.
“Muriel, don’t,” my father warned. She turned her head to look at him and he shook his head. But I had to know, I was tired of secrets and lies.
“Don’t what, mother? Come on, don’t stop now. I know you want to say it. I know you want to hurt me. It’s what you live for so do it, say it, give me your worst and watch me not fall to pieces.” I could see that my words had pushed her over the edge and hard as she tried she wouldn’t be able to ignore my goading. I, on the other hand, was seeing spots, my anger reaching past levels that would normally have me blacking out from fear. It was scary and exhilarating. I felt like the Phoenix rising from the ashes.
“You are not our daughter!” My mom spat at me. If looks could kill I would be dead ten times over. The hatred and utter disregard for me shining through in her brown eyes.
Not their daughter?
“Muriel! Stop this at once!” My father yelled at her, snapping me out of my thoughts. She immediately stood and walked over to the window curling her arms around herself. I stared at my father, my focus becoming hazy from unshed tears. He had never before so much as raised his voice to her, let alone yell at her in my defense. Why now? I stood there shocked and numb. This was not how I thought this day was going to go.
Not their daughter. Not their daughter.
My body felt cold all over and I began to shiver. The rush of anger quickly being replaced with fear and confusion. Then almost as quickly the anger resurfaced with a vengeance. I needed answers. I deserved answers and I would be damned if they got away with any more lies. Question after question raced through my mind, but I tamped them all down focusing on one.
If I'm not their daughter...then...whose daughter am I?
To Be Continued…
Finding Truth
The Heartmates Trilogy Book Two
Coming February 1st, 2020
