After I got a notification that the authorities were investigating my building due to the hazard, I decided to focus on my teaching job for the time being, but they fired me the next day. Apparently, too many reporters surrounded the school, wanting to get a peek at me, and the school didn’t value me enough to deal with all that. Plus, it was unsafe for the children.
So I’ve been stuck in this house with nothing to do but read the books from the huge library they have in here and wear all these clothes because they make me feel pretty. If I ever see my husband, I'd prefer to look good rather than pathetic in his eyes.
Which I think makes me pathetic anyhow, but I digress.
Sometimes, on rare occasions, I get to meet Psyche. She started working as a secretary for some big-shot architect, andhe took up all her time. At least he’s all she seems to talk about, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think she has a crush on him.
Glancing at the full moon one last time, I spin around and stride to the hallway after closing my laptop. I snatch my phone on the way, and an unfamiliar bout of excitement fills me.
Being stuck has its bright side because I was thinking about this thriller story in my head and started writing it down. And while it’s probably not that great and I won’t ever publish it, I decided to let the creativity flow until I can once again control my life. Maybe I’ll move to another state and find a teaching job there or get my master’s.
My phone vibrates in my palm, and I smile, reading the message from my grandma’s doctor.
She’s doing fine, participates in some workshops, and tells all kinds of stories to the nurses from her youth. She is still not allowed to have visitors after having the flu. If you want, we can send you some footage so you can see how she’s doing for yourself. Thank you for paying off all her medical bills years in advance. We moved her to our best unit, where she’ll have a trusted nurse available twenty-four hours a day. Don’t worry about a thing, Diana.
“I can’t believe this. Dad really kept his word.”
After I ignored all his calls, I expected him to withhold the payment or try to threaten me with Grandma once again so I’d do as he asked, but he came through in the end.
I sigh in relief, thankful that at least this is worth it as long as my grandma has all the comfort she needs.
On a cue, I get another message, and my mood sours right away despite the good news.
It’s my father.
Silence has consequences, Diana.
We need more time to finish Grant’s design. Talk to your husband about extending the deadline. He won’t return any of my calls, and while I expect this kind of behavior from him, you know better.
Do not force me to show you my bad side. We both know you aren’t the strongest soldier when it comes to pain.
I freeze in the middle of the hallway, swallowing hard and scrunching my eyes as memories assault me. They turn quickly into a nightmare.
Father fists my hair, tugging at it so hard it draws tears to my eyes, and he pushes me forward until my head sinks into the bathtub, the cold water muting everything around me at once.
My throat grows tight, and my lungs desperately cry out for oxygen, causing me to struggle in his harsh grip. When the pressure in my chest becomes too tight, I’m yanked right back.
Gulping for breath and coughing on the water, I hear my father’s harsh voice in my ear. “Who are you?” I take too long to answer, so he pushes my head underwater again before pulling me back after a moment, though it seems like eternity to me. “Who are you?”
“I’m a nobody.” My hoarse reply is met with Grant’s laughter as Father lets me go and slaps me so hard, my cheek burns. It sends me flying on the floor, and I bump my head against a tile. “I’m a nobody,” I whisper again.
“Folded so fast.” Grant clicks his tongue, towering above me and forming a bubble with his gum. “It will teach you not torun your mouth, as it wasn’t designed for talking. Keep it shut at all times.”
Father picks up the towel and wipes his hands, his harsh stare still drilling into me as tears stream down my face. I rub my throat, breathing in as much air as possible. “If I hear you address yourself as my daughter again, your punishment will be severe. Learn your place.” He steps over me as I move to the nearest corner, wrapping my arms around my knees and watching them both. “Useless and stupid girl. I wish you had died along with your mother in that bathtub.”
I gulp for air when something drops and shatters on the first floor. Rubbing my throat, I welcome every breath I take.
As I’ve learned in life, it’s not always our given right.
I’m not a hopeless eight-year-old anymore, and as much as my father loves to threaten me, he can’t do anything to me now.
At least not while I’m still wearing Orion’s ring.
And besides, he's already paid for my grandma, so even if he pulls the funding, I’ll have that one million from the generous company soon to save her.
Either way, I won’t have to depend on all these men in my life to save my grandma, so I’m going to ignore these messages too.
Let him be brave with Orion, although my father is a coward. All abusers are cowards who could never face anyone stronger than themselves, preferring to prey on the weak. That’s one of the things my therapist explained to me during a session.
