Page 29 of Tormented Heir

I step around him and head out of the door.

“What an astonishing face,” I hear him say.

“If you like them all wide-eyed and innocent, I suppose,” Hana scoffs. “It’s a bit round too, her face, I mean. A round, moon-faced girl, with eyes too big for her head.”

I walk faster so I don’t have to listen anymore, but the man’s next words reach me.

“Those eyes are exquisite. Nice body too. You said you didn’t have anything worth a damn, but it seems you do.”

What the hell does that mean? I race around the corner, not wanting them to be able to see me anymore, and power walk to the store.

It’s been four days since I saw the scary man at the door, and something is wrong. Hana is more of a bitch than usual. She snaps at me all the time, makes Cade cry, and treats Dad with utter disdain.

On day four I can’t take it anymore when she lays into me for the third time that morning.

“God, are you getting your period?” I snap.

She marches up to me, grabs my ponytail, and pulls. It shocks me as she’s never hurt me like this.

“You’d do well to try to remember how kind I am being to you right now.”

My heart races although I’m not sure why.

“What do you mean?”

Her face turns blank and stony. “Nothing.”

Bullshit, she meant something.

Heavy footsteps enter the room, and I turn to see Dad with his hand luggage and briefcase.

Hana’s face transforms into a happy smiley mask as she beams at me as if she’s fond of me. The bitch does a good impression of being nice when she needs to.

Dad in return smiles warmly at her. “I’ll call when I get to the hotel.” He kisses Hana on the mouth, and I try not to gag when she slips her tongue in.

Then he turns to me. “Be good. Take care of your brother. I’ll see you in two days.” He kisses my forehead, leaving a wet patch. The urge to rub it off because it might contain Hana spit is almost overwhelming.

His words hit me when he’s gone. Take care of your brother. He knows. Dad knows how messed up Hana is getting. That it’s only getting worse. He’s never said anything like that before.

The day drags on, and I miss my father, even though we don’t talk that much anymore. He’s at an academic conference. I check my watch. He’s probably already on his second glass of wine at the post conference dinner now. It’s getting dark outside. It’s warm today, unusually so. There hasn’t been much fog this past week.

Cade walks into the room, rubbing his eyes.

“Hey, bug. Why aren’t you in bed?”

“I’ve been watching television in my room. Mama didn’t come to say goodnight.”

Jesus, it’s late. I smile at him, big and happy, despite my heart aching. “That’s okay. I’ll do it. Shall we go clean those teeth?”

He pulls a face. Cade hates cleaning his teeth. “They aren’t dirty.”

“Hmm. Did you eat food today?”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe? Like some?”

“Some.”

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