Bad news comes in threes. Cora. Marissa’s job. The house. Bullshit is this a coincidence.

But amidst the turmoil and uncertainty, a fierce determination flickers in Cora’s eyes. “We’ll figure it out, Mom. We always do,” she says, her voice surprisingly steady despite the tremor of fear that I can detect beneath the surface.

Cora’s mom looks at her daughter with a mix of pride and gratitude, a silent understanding passing between them. In that moment, I see the strength that runs through their bond, the unbreakable connection that has carried them through hardships before.

“We’ll find a way through this,” I chime in, offering what little reassurance I can muster in the face of such adversity. “Do you have anywhere to go? Can I help you find another property?”

Cora’s mom grimaces. “I didn’t think that far ahead,” she confesses. “Probably not on such short notice, but I was thinking of asking your father for some help, Slater.”

“Sean? No!” Cora shouts, blanching. She was already incredibly pale and exhausted from last night and this morning’s nightmare, but somehow she’s turned completely colorless.

Two and two fall into place together.

“Motherfucker!” I growl, making both women jump.

I turn on my heel and slam my hand into the wall, making Cora yelp.

“Slater?” I don’t answer. I can’t.

This, all of this, is his doing.

Meaning, he’s the bastard that hurt Cora yesterday.

He’s about to find out that he’s a dead man walking.

39

SLATER

Istorm out of the room, my blood boiling with a potent mix of rage and disgust. How could my own father stoop so low as to physically hurt Cora like that? And now he’s behind all this chaos - the hospital situation, the eviction, everything. I clench my fists, feeling the urge to pummel something, anything, to release this pent-up fury burning inside me.

I’m not even aware of the drive over to my father’s house. Couldn’t tell if I was speeding, ran a stop sign, a red light, or even caused a massive pileup behind me. I don’t care. I just need to confront him. I need to kill him for hurting her.

As I reach the front door, ready to make him pay for what he’s done, a figure steps into my path. It’s Aunt Heather, with her cold eyes and twisted smile that sends a shiver down my spine. She blocks my way with an air of authority that I’ve never dared to defy.

“Where do you think you’re going, Slater?” she asks, her voice laced with saccharine malice.

“I need to see my father. Now.”

“You’re not going anywhere until we’ve had a little chat.”

I try to push past her, but she grabs my arm with an iron grip that immobilizes me. Logically, I know I am physically stronger than this woman. I could easily overpower her and throw her off me, could go further even. But physical force means nothing when this woman’s poison courses through my veins. There is no logic when she’s around. Fight or flight becomes freeze or fawn, and I refused to fawn over this woman.

I turn to stone under her icy grip.

“Let me go, Heather. I have no time for your games,” I growl, my patience wearing thin as the urgency of the situation gnaws at me.

Her laughter rings in my ears like a sinister melody. “Oh, but this is no game, dear nephew. Your father has had to leave on urgent business, and he’s asked me towatchover you. We have some unfinished business to attend to.”

A sinking feeling settles in the pit of my stomach as realization dawns on me. My father has not only abandoned me to face whatever twisted plans Aunt Heather has in store for me, but has willingly given me up to her like lamb to a slaughter. How did he know I’d come here? Am I that predictable, that easily manipulated? Or would she have come looking for me?

A part of me knows it’s ridiculous that either of them think I need watching over now that I’m a man and not a child, but I also know that it’s just a power play.

“No.” The word comes out so much more feeble than I intended. She laughs again.

“No? You don’t get to tell meno,boy. You’re mine, always have been, and I can do what I want with you.”

“I’m not a boy, and I’m done. I should have killed you at my birthday when I had the chance.”