My chin was grabbed firmly and Bram’s hands dropped away from my face. My face was shaken, making me open my eyes again. The old man’s brown eyes bored into mine. “Do you not understand that you could die if you don’t go?”
I stared back, unflinching. They didn’t know what I knew. They didn’t understand what Mother was capable of. If they took me to a hospital, Mother would undoubtedly find me. And when she saw that I was with them, she’d call the police andevery connection she had. She’d tell everyone that they were the ones who’d attacked me. She’d spew so much money and so many lies, they’d all be locked up before they knew what was happening. Then I would be back in hercare.“I’m dead either way.”
The old man let go of my chin and stood up straight. He glared at Bram. “You gonna risk it? She’s your kid, ain’t she?”
“It’s not up to him,” I tried to say firmly, but my voice was so hoarse. “It’s my choice.”
Bram finally spoke, sounding angry. “You’re not in any state to make sound decisions right now.”
They didn’t understand and I didn’t have the voice to explain it to them.
Clenching my jaw, I braced myself for what I had to do.
I can do this.
I can.
I rolled toward Roe, and it was then that I realized that I was lying on top of a table. All the chairs were pushed back and the bright light above me was a pendant light dangling over the center of the table. I let go of Roe’s hand and began to push myself up.
The room erupted in protests. I ignored them. The pain was so excruciating, I had to grind my teeth together to stop the hurt-filled noises that threatened to escape.
“Lottie,” Roe said as he put his hand on my shoulder. “Lay back down.”
“I can’t.” I put my hand on his chest to push him back.
He didn’t move, and his hand that had been holding mine fisted at his side. I felt bad, but I had to do this. I had endured pain all my life. I could endure it a little longer.
As soon as I sat up, I moved my legs over the edge of the table. I sat there for a second to try and breathe. Wrapping an arm around my middle, I took small shallow breaths, lockingeyes with Reid. His expression was schooled. I supposed that was better than looking pissed and disappointed, as he had just before storming off when I hadn’t spilled all my secrets to Bram earlier today.
I slid off the table onto my feet. My knees buckled a little. Everyone seemed to flinch at that. Reid even stepped toward me as if ready to catch me. Thankfully, I caught myself by holding onto the table.
There were two paths out of here. Both were open archways. One I could clearly see through into a kitchen, making me realize I was in Bram’s dining room. The other looked like it might lead me into the rest of the house and possibly the front door. It was just past where Reid was standing.
“Charlotte,” Bram said, his voice sounding calmer.
Ignoring him, I took a step in Reid’s direction. I was unsteady at first, but I continued. My hand dropped away from the table with my next step. I was on my own from that point, with nothing to catch myself on if I fell.
“Charlotte,” Bram said again, sounding as if he were right behind me.
I still ignored him and made my way around Reid toward the way out. I was almost there. I reached out to grab onto the wall. Before I could touch it, I stumbled and I was going down. Big hands caught me.
“You’ve made your point,” Bram said in a low voice.
I got my feet back under me. “I’m not making a point. I’m leaving.” I shrugged him off. “To protect dumb men who won’t listen.” It hurt so much to say that, but it was fucking worth it. I walked out of the dining room into a living room. Sitting on a modular cream-colored couch were Mac and her mom, Vivian. Mac had tears rolling down her cheeks and her mom had an arm around her, comforting her. They both looked toward me, making me pause at their shocked stares.
“What are you protecting us from?” Bram asked, following me out of the dining room. “Your mother?”
He wanted an explanation. I would’ve given him one if I could. But here we were. If he or anyone else couldn’t just accept no as an answer, then I couldn’t stay here. I would not allow them to damn us all.
Spotting the front door across the room, I kept walking.
“Why don’t you two go upstairs?” Bram said to Vivian and Mac as he followed me.
Vivian nodded and looked to her daughter. “Come on, honey. Let’s give them some privacy.”
I didn’t watch them leave. I was solely focused on the front door. I didn’t know where I would go once I walked through it. The closer I got to it, the more fucked I realized everything was.
Maybe I should just end things myself. Get it over with. I won’t have to suffer anymore.
