My father nodded, clicking his tongue as he wandered the room. “How are you? Still refusing to talk to me?” His eyes scanned my space.
Sweat prickled cold down my spine, and I dragged my hands over my face.
He hummed again. “I always thought your brother was on my side. But I know he’s been hiding things about you and Zeraiah.” He now turned to look at me, and I met his eyes with a shaky gaze. My trembling hands clenched together. “Always saying he’d look after you both. But I always knew there were things he kept for himself. Isn’t that right, Zioh?”
Everything fell silent, leaving only the thud of my heart and the ticking of the clock greeting my ears. The contrast was cruel, the clock moving in a steady rhythm, while my heart felt like it was about to crack my ribs apart.
Shaking my head, I swallowed hard. He planned something….He always did.
“So many things happened in the UK. But I know there are things you’ve kept from me.” His gaze sharpened, piercing me. “You’ve lied, haven’t you, Zioh?”
I stayed silent. Pretending not to shake, pretending to be normal. But it was as though he held control, slowly shutting off my ability to breathe. My hands grew numb.
He mustn’t know.
He mustn’t find out.
Desk. Papers. Computer. Pencil. Sofa—one, two, three—
A small breath escaped him, his eyes softening—a trick. I wouldn’t fall for it.
“You’re talented, son. You know the airport and station projects in a few years—”
I told you so.
“Stop.” My voice was sharp, cold. I knew where he was going.No,I didn’t want to. I wouldn’t let him trap me.
“Enough,” I warned, my voice trembling but firm. “I won’t stay here any longer. I’ll only help Mas Zaeem once.Just once.”Or I’d truly go crazy. I wouldn’t stay. Not with him.
My Dad smirked. “I know the real reason you agreed to return isn’t just because your brother begged.” He arched a brow. “Come on, you hate being here. Being here triggers you. Just like your grandfather’s house in the UK. Triggers you, doesn’t it?”
Hate.A cold sweat dripped down even more. Stop,” I growled.
“All the things tied to your mother, and that girl. Tshabina. They’ll trigger you, won’t they?”
“STOP!”
Air scraped down my throat but never reached my lungs. A shrill ringing flooded my ears.His words were about to come true.
Why did hekeep tormenting me?“Please… stop.”
I kept shaking my head when it roared.
“Why? Are you doing it again? Assuming the worst that I—”
“GOD! JUST STOP!” I screamed. Breath ripped out of me. I couldn’t breathe. Why couldn’t I breathe?
My father nodded, cold and sure. “I’m so disappointed. My children are hiding things. Lying, even.” His eyes narrowed on me. “If you’re lying, Zioh, then I’ll—”
I shook harder. “Just getout, Dad—”
“Cindy.”
I blanked.
“Hhh…”
“The reason you came back wasn’t just your brother. It was Cindy, too, wasn’t it?”
