I’ve never been so scared. Not even when Gabe attacked me.
Chapter 32
Morgan
Ingrid rushes into the guest room, jarring me from my slumber.
“Your dad is here,” she says. “He won’t leave this time.”
Two dad-free nights hiding at Ingrid’s place has been the only good thing in my life.
I groan loudly and drag myself out of bed. With my hair askew, I trudge down the hall, open her front door, and face my father.
He stands in a suit, all black, gold rings, and not a thread or hair out of place. His familiar cologne is like a smack to the face. He’s here, and probably angrier than ever before.
“Morgan,” he says flatly.
“Hello, Dad,” I answer.
He holds his chin as he uses the same hand to point at me. “Well? Shall you invite me in, to talk, like an adult?”
I frown, but open the door wider. He storms forward like his presence is bigger than his human form.
“Was your speech true? The part about Gabe?” he starts sharply.
I rub the sleep from my eyes and nod.
“And you didn’t tell me?” he seethes. “You were assaulted at my church and didn’t tell me?”
I clutch my elbows and shrug. “Sorry.”
He stills, studying me scrupulously, then continues.
“Are you an atheist now?”
I gasp in horror. “No, Dad! I just... It was time for the truth to be heard.”
“The truth?” He chuckles and shakes his head. “A truth that could not be spoken to me first. Did you think your own father could not be trusted?”
“Of course I trust you. I was ashamed.” I bite my tongue, withholding the part that I was intimate with Gabe before the attack. Instead, I drop onto a sofa chair hard, causing the springs to creak. “What does it matter, anyway? Gabe hasn’t been arrested and Jack is still in jail.”
Dad barks out a laugh. “Did you honestly think he would be released because of your stunt? Jack mutilated a pastor beyond repair. Gabe may never regain function. Your godless boy isn’t getting out of jail.”
My heart rips in two just thinking of Jack in a cold, heartless cell. No family or friends. Alone. I bring my knees to my chest and fight tears.
Dad sits across from me, elbows on his knees. He idly twirls a goldband as he speaks.
“We are past disappointment. You have single-handedly put my life’s work in jeopardy. We are teetering on complete devastation. Understand?”
“I know some members will lose trust in our church because of Gabe, but—”
He retrieves his phone. “Some? Here are some comments.” He recites a few quickly:
My kids were around that man and could have been raped,
Pastors are sexually repressed time bombs.
I saw the video and morgan looked fine until the attacker showed up.
