Chapter 2 - The Hand on Her Arm
Richard did not raise his voice.
“Take your hand off my daughter.”
Trevor released Rebecca immediately.
Then he smiled.
It was the same charming expression he used at charity dinners, business meetings, and family holidays.
“Richard, this looks worse than it is.”
Richard stepped inside.
Rebecca moved behind him with Emma against her chest.
“What happened to her face?”
“She fell.”
“On what?”
“The stairs.”
Richard looked toward the staircase across the room.
Then he looked at the blood on Trevor’s knuckles.
Trevor slipped his hand into his pocket.
“She’s emotional,” he said. “The pregnancy has been difficult.”
Rebecca’s father turned toward her.
“Did you fall?”
Trevor’s warning echoed in her mind.
You say one word, and you’ll regret it.
Rebecca felt Emma’s fingers gripping her dress.
She remembered every lie she had told doctors.
Every dinner she attended wearing makeup over bruises.
Every time Trevor apologized, cried, and promised he would never hurt her again.
“No,” Rebecca whispered.
Trevor’s smile disappeared.
Richard remained still.
Rebecca forced herself to continue.
“He hit me.”
The room became silent except for Emma’s crying.
Trevor moved toward them.
Richard stepped between him and Rebecca.
“Do not come closer.”
“You’re in my house,” Trevor said.
Richard looked around the living room.
“No. This house belongs to the Lawson Family Trust.”
Trevor’s face tightened.
Richard took out his phone.
“I’m calling the police.”
Trevor lunged toward him.
Rebecca screamed.
Richard caught Trevor’s wrist, but Trevor shoved him into a table.
A lamp crashed to the floor.
Emma cried louder.
Richard regained his balance and looked directly at his son-in-law.
“You just made the second-worst mistake of your life.”
Trevor laughed bitterly.
“What was the first?”
May you like
Richard glanced at Rebecca’s bruised face.
“Believing she had nobody left.”
