UNKNOWN NUMBER:
Then why did you reply?
I immediately clicked out of the text exchange. Because whydidI reply? I ran because it was the only thing that made sense at the time, because staying meant drowning. Mum was terrified of everyone, so getting out was what was best for her. Right?
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
Tell me where you are, and I’ll come.
Please.
I left him on read.
Chapter 47
Violet
The first thing I heard when I opened the door was whispers, and I immediately paused, concentrating to make sure I’d heard right. I’d known mum to whisper to the voices, but they’d never actually whispered back.
I found mum on the sofa, our landlord standing in front of her. Her posture was unnaturally stiff, her eyes glazed and distant, staring at nothing while Chuck grunted with his legs spread.
“Oh my God!” I cried, my voice sharp enough to make Chuck jolt like he’d been electrocuted. His sweaty, round face twisted in panic as he fumbled to shove his deflating dick back inside his trousers. “What are you doing here?”
“You… you’re back early,” he stammered, wiping his forehead before forcing a smirk that made my stomach revolt. “What areyoudoing here?”
I glanced at mum, who still hadn’t acknowledged anything, or anyone. “What were you doing to her?” I screeched, quickly going over to touch mum’s cheek. She blinked, but stared straight through me.
“This was our agreement,” Chuck grunted, folding his arms. “You really think I’d let you stay here for cheap otherwise?”His shirt clung to him, buttons straining against his gut.
“Get out!” I snapped, shoving him back with everything I had.
“Wait a fucking minute?—”
“I saidget—” I went to shove him again, but pain exploded through my cheek, white-hot as I stumbled sideways into the wall.
“That wasn’t very nice,” Chuck growled. “I give you a cheap place to stay, off the books, and this is how you thank me?”
“Thank you?” I wiped under my nose, smearing the blood with a shaking hand. “You were taking advantage of my mum!”
“This was the agreement.” His voice dropped low, dangerous. The space between us disappeared, and I pressed myself flat against the wall. “Now,” he said, his eyes dragging over me, “maybe you should apologise properly.”
“Don’t touch me,” I hissed, forcing my voice to stay steady even as my pulse hammered in my throat.
He smirked, the expression oily and smug. “The only reason you’d be home this early is because you’ve quit, or been fired.” Leaning in, the heat of his breath ghosted over my face. “So, tell me, babe. Without an income, how exactly do you plan on paying the rent?”
He leaned forward, and I turned my face to the side, my lungs struggling to fill with oxygen.
His fingers brushed my jaw. “I have a suggestion…”
“Touch her and you’re dead,” mum snapped, the words cutting through my panic.
Chuck spun, startled, to find her standing there with a knife in her hand.
“Step back. Now.” She looked weirdly calm, even if her eyes were hard, her dark curls wild around her face.
Chuck stumbled back, hands raised like that could save him. “Now, let’s all just calm down?—”
“Get the fuck out!” Mum screamed, the sound sharp enough to rattle the windows.
