Page 35 of Chance

I glance over at my mother, who seems to be having some kind of breakdown as she comes back in, and I'm surprised my dad hasn't gone over to her like he usually does.

"We are getting divorced," my dad says, noticing where I'm looking. My shocked face seems to make him laugh. "I'm well aware your mother doesn't care for me. I haven't cared for her in many years, but she convinced me you needed a family setting. I realise she is wrong, and we are better apart,"he tells me with a grim look in my mother’s direction.

"I think it’s best you find someone you love, Dad." I pull away from him to look for Seb, who I find holding two boxes under each arm, watching me from the entrance hall. "Let me help," my dad says, walking over to take a box from Seb, who nods at him with some degree of understanding.

They walk to the car, and I start to follow when my mother’s hand reaches out and grabs my arm tightly. I look down at her fake nails cutting into my skin, enough to make my arm bleed if I tried to move.

"Let go," I growl, trying to pull away, but she is strong for a woman so small.

"You stupid, little girl! You cost me everything. You can't just leave." She shakes my arm, pulling me closer while I struggle. I cry out when she slaps me across the face, her nails catching my lip, and I taste blood in my mouth.

"Get the fuck off her," Seb's angry voice shouts as my mother is pulled away from me. Seb picks me up into his arms, holding me tight.

"Come near her, or my family, and I'll destroy you. I know about your deal with my father. What you paid for," Seb says harshly. I have no idea what he’s speaking about, but I send a confused glance up at Seb, who mouths ‘later’ to me.

She just falls to the floor, crying. I turn away into Seb's chest and wipe my own tears.

"Let's just go," I say softly to Seb, who leads me back to the car. He talks to my father while I wait in the car, and when my dad nods sharply, Seb gets into the car with me.

"You okay? I know it's a silly question," Seb mumbles, wiping away the last of my tears.

"Yes, I'm used to how she is, but can I ask what you know about her?” I ask.

“You sure you want that answer? It’s not a good part of my past to relive,” he says, looking down as its starts to pour down with rain outside the car.

“Yes, I want to know. Nothing you can tell me will ever scare me away, Seb.” I take his hand, and he nods.

“Our father used to make us sleep with random women and men. I never had to do it because Elliot would cover for me. For some reason, Harley was his favourite to pimp out,” he says, his voice filled with sadness and anger.

“Oh, Seb,” I say, with tears running down my cheeks, feeling so sorry for Harley.

“Anyway, the point is, your mother paid for Elliot a few times. Elliot told me when he saw her pick you up from school one time,” he says, watching my reaction.

I feel sick she would do that; she is more disturbed than I thought. We don’t say anything as we both watch the rain pour down the window.

“I guess we both had a fucked-up childhood. I didn’t realise how much we had in common,” I say, leaning my head against his shoulder.

"Has she ever hit you before?" he asks, tightening his hands around mine.I know he is trying to get us to be open with each other. Secrets destroyed our past, and it’s not worth it for them to destroy our future.

"Yes, sometimes with belts. Sometimes she would just lock me in closets for a whole day until she remembered I was there," I say, looking away out the window.

"Don't look away, not with me. My dad was the same,” he tells me, and I keep my eyes connected with his as he talks.

“Teaching us how to fight was bad enough on our bodies, but he would randomly punch me and knock me out. He would call it a lesson. I know my brothers had worse lessons, so I should count myself lucky." Seb sarcastically laughs, and it echoes around the closed car.

"He was an evil man, we all learnt to be tough or risk him beating the crap out of us. I never want to be that kind of dad. I was scared when I found you were pregnant because I don't want to be him, but I realise I'm not. I would never be able to hurt anyone I love, and I love my son so much, even if I haven't met him yet." Seb kisses me deeply while I sink into him. I know he doesn't want my sadness for him right now, just my acceptance, which he has always had.

"Thank you for telling me, and I have no worries about you being a dad. Our son is lucky to have such an amazing man for a father. We aren't our parents, and even though we are young, we will do a better job," I say, rubbing my thumb across his soft lips, and he kisses me again, with more passion before breaking away to look into my eyes.

"I love you, my May,"he tells me with a sad smile.

Seb looks away to start the car while I put on my seatbelt, and we leave our past at my old home.

We drive back while I sing along to a song on the radio, and the baby kicks away. I look out and notice we are pulling into Harley's house.

"What are we doing here?" I ask.

"A surprise." He winks, and I giggle.

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