Chapter 2
“Look, you shouldn’t burn bridges,” Julian muttered.
Suddenly, tears spilled out of my sightless eyes.
“So this is still my goddamn fault?”
Why was he even pissed at me, of all people? I was blind, for Christ’s sake–how was he still covering for Ophelia and her kid?
“I didn’t say that! I’m just saying-”
I cut him off.
“Long as I’m alive, Ophelia’s not setting foot in this house. She’s not your wife. Don’t forget you have a family.”
Even blind, I wasn’t letting that woman play housekeeper. Julian’s hands went cold–probably from my rage. I could feel the chill seeping through his palms.
“Mom, why you being like this? If you’re not around, Aunt Ophelia can cook for me, right? Someone’s gotta look after me, and Liam
can play with me.” Lily whined.
“Not happening.” I snapped. “You forget who broke your leg? I’m not hiring those two.”
“Just rest up.” Julian pulled his hand away and dragged Lily out.
That evening, half–asleep, I heard knocking. “Come in,” I called, thinking it was the nurse. Instead, a crew of rough hands shuffled in–smelled like a homeless shelter, straight up gag–worthy.
“Who’s there?” I demanded, panicking.
No answer. They tiptoed toward my bed. I swung my pillow blindly, but it was like hitting cotton. A dark laugh echoed: “You’ll find out soon enough.”
They swarmed me. I couldn’t fight back–felt like my bones were splintering. “Help! Please, let me go! Who sent you? Was it Ophelia? She wants me dead, doesn’t she?”
No response. The pain knocked me out.
When I came to, every inch ached. Still blind, but heard Lily’s voice. Was I dead? I touched my body–still breathing. Then realized the was on the phone in the bathroom.
‘Dad, Mom’s been out cold for four days. The goons you hired went too far–she almost bought the farm. What if she dies? Then I’d have no mom.”
A voice on the line: “But you said you want Aunt Ophelia as your mom.”
“Yeah, I do! Aunt Ophelia takes me for burgers–Mom never lets me, makes me eat broccoli. She doesn’t get me.”
Lily chirped.
“And Aunt Ophelia’s so pretty, like an angel. Mom just rolls up in sweats–embarrassing when she picks me up from school. All the kids envy Liam when his mom picks him up.”
04:05
Chapter 2
Julian’s voice: “Soon enough. Even if your mom pulls through, she’s blind. I already moved Ophelia in. You’ll see her when you get
home.”
“For real? Hell yeah, burgers!” Lily whooped.
“Keep it down. If your mom wakes up and catches on, our cover’s blown. Got it?”
“Relax, Dad. I checked on her–she’s knocked out, just got her IV. Must be messed up from the beating.”
0405
