Page 103 of The Sea Witch's Son

No judgement. No shame.

There are so many reasons why I should hate him, but the reason I don’t is the same reason I do.

When I look at Marlin Seaborn, I see a cruel liar and a selfish manipulator.

And it feels like I’m looking in the fucking mirror.

“She owed me.”

I repeat his words, staring at the only person who understands. The only person who knows what it’s like to crave the darkness as much as the light.

His eyes flick over my face, caressing every shadow, stroking every vicious angle.

“So much pain for so little in return” Wiping the tears from my cheeks, he sighs, “At what point does the sacrifice outweigh the reward?”

The question dangles in the space between us, just waiting to be caught.

“I didn’t kill my father.”

“No.” His eyes flick to mine, “But you helped Erik cover it up.”

The air gets sucked from my lungs.

“The neighbour who filed the domestic abuse reports ended up marrying that same woman not six months later.” Marlin tilts his head, “Rather curious, is it not?"

“They were in love.”

“Your insistence on calling Erik a good man leads me to believe he was the one you would run to on the nights your father was in a mood.”

“Erik is a good man.”

Marlin tsks, “A good man does not murder the husband of the woman he loves.”

“Erik was the only one kind enough tohelp.” I scream the last word, feeling my control shatter, “Do you know how many nights I had to listen to her cry? How many times I had to cover her skin in concealer just so she could go to work the next day?”

“He offered you a way out.”

“He offered me a life.” Pressing my palms to his chest, I lean in closer, “A life full of opportunities I never would have hadotherwise. Memories that I never would have gotten if we had stayed.”

When my mother found out her husband had died, she wept with joy. She thanked the fates above for finally giving us a chance at a better life. For finally getting us out from under that monster’s thumb.

It was the happiest day of her life. She played the piano and we sang in celebration. We danced and we laughed, and not once, did it occur to her that I was the one who gave us that freedom.

I was the one who gave Erik the Vicodin.

I was the one who encouraged Arielle to give that same man a chance.

Marlin chuckles softly, “You told me your father had a lot of connections. That’s how you were able to keep the overdose from the autopsy report.”

“Someone needed to keep us out of jail.”

“And the Vicodin prescription. That was you too?”

When I don’t respond, a breathtaking smile breaks clear across his face.

“You were the brains behind the operation.”

Something close to admiration shines through those eyes. His approval washes over me like a tidal wave, soaking the aching spots in my heart and sending a surge of pleasure through my veins.

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