Page 52 of Unforgivable

That didn't compute in my head. The money was a payout from mom's life insurance, it shouldn't have anything to do with Jack. That couldn't be right.

“I was fortunate enough to stumble onto it when I was trying to get into one of our savings accounts the other week,” she continued, “but what I found was just as satisfying. It seems there was no life insurance at all. Jack has been funneling you money all this time, but I put a stop to that. I rerouted the money into my spending account since you won't be needing it anymore.”

“That's bullshit! My mom had life insurance, Jack helped me set up those payments himself. You have no right to them. I need that money for my rent and other expenses,” I swore, but it did nothing to wipe that aggravating smile off her face.

“That's where you're wrong. A letter was sent here for you from your financial aid office,” Blair said, breezing by me to grab a long envelope off the coffee table. “See for yourself.”

I snatched the envelope from her hands, yanking out the letter inside and quickly reading it. The words blurred together on the page and my vision narrowed. That wasn't possible.

…regret to inform you…

…scholarship has been revoked…

…violation of student code of conduct…

This wasn't happening. Not after everything. My knees nearly buckled and I fought to stay standing. Of course, Blair saw her opportunity to dig the knife in.

“I hate to say I told you so, but I knew you'd eventually screw upyour life. I always wondered how you managed to get a spot at UT. It's not like you were ever that smart, and your personal record wasn't exactly sterling. I guess you finally showed your true colors, Callum. What a credit to your mom, you are.”

That last cord holding me together broke clean in half.

“SHUT UP! You know nothing about me, you vindictive, abusive bitch!” I roared, crumpling the damning letter in my fist.

“Don't you dare talk to me like that, you little bastard! You owe us everything! If not for us, you would have been thrown into foster care and ended up on the streets!” she shrieked back, her smooth face contorted and grotesque.

“You think I should be grateful to you? You have always hated me! You took me in only because you were forced to, and you made my life a living hell! No matter what I did, you would berate me and hit me and throw me in that goddamn closet! I owe younothing!”

Rage poured off of me in waves, everything I had repressed for years bubbling to the surface and overflowing. I was shaking from the force of it and I couldn't shove it back down if I wanted to.

“Of course I hated you, you leech! You never should have been born! You and my bitch of a sister ruined my family!”

“Fuck you!” I yelled, taking a menacing step toward her.

“I should have left you in that closet and never opened it again!” Blair screeched.

“What the fuck is going on here?” a voice boomed from behind Aunt Blair. I whipped my head toward Uncle Jack who was coming from the garage, evidently just getting home. His features were scrunched and livid, but he wasn't looking at me. His ire was directed solely at my aunt. “What the fuck did you just say to him?”

Blair drained of color and she took a timid step away from me, looking like she wanted to bolt. She stammered and fidgeted on the spot. “I-I only said…it's not what you think, Jack.”

“All these years, I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to think you were capable of what Callum said. Did you seriously lock him in a closet? He was a child!” Jack thundered, his broad chest heaving with every other word. I had never seen him lose his cool like this. He had always placated Blair and submitted to her wishes, ever the passive husband. And he never once stood up for me like this. He hadn't believed me.

“Don't you judge me, Jack!” Blair cried. “This is all your fault!None of this would have happened if it weren't for you! As if forcing me to bring him into our home wasn't bad enough, you've been giving him our money for years!”

“He's our family! He belonged here! And that money belongs to him too! Nothing justifies what you did to him!” Jack fought back, his fists curling at his side.

I'd had enough. This was bringing up memories that I couldn't face, not today. I was mentally and emotionally wrung out, my body on the verge of collapse as everything piled on me at once. I wanted out of that fucking house and away from that fucking viper herself. I spun on my heel and stormed out the door.

I didn't get more than a few feet before I heard the door rip back open behind me. “Callum! Wait!” Uncle Jack called out. I picked up my pace, fighting to put space between us.

“Leave me alone!” I shouted over my shoulder, but his big hand gripped my arm and pulled me to a halt.

“Please stop and let me explain!” he begged.

“It's too fucking late,Dad!You never listened to me about Blair, why should I listen to you? What could you possibly have to say to me now?” My words came out raspy and broken, tears breaking through and spilling down my cheeks.

Jack flinched, looking as though I had slapped him. I had never before called him that, not even the day my mom told me who he really was to me. As far as I was concerned, he didn't deserve that title.

“Callum…I didn't know. I swear to you, I didn't know! I am so sorry! Please son,” Jack pleaded, anguish coating his tone.

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