EPISODETWO
1360 Words
Lucas' POV
It was a merciless day.
Work drained every ounce of patience I had, and by the time I pulled up outside the estate, dark had already been granted the upper hand over the sky. I just sat there in the car, hands wrapped around the steering wheel, gasping too fast. Going back to that house was becoming some kind of slo-mo t*****e.
The silence in the car was the most peaceful I'd had all day, yet still not quite enough.
But I had something holding me back from going through with it—Kiara.
No matter what madness was waiting outside that door, she was the one thing I knew I could always depend on.
I eventually opened the car door and went inside.
I could smell cigarette smoke and alcohol before I even made it to the living room—again. It clung in the air like a warning signal that something was amiss.
Again. Day after day after day.
My hands curled up.
"Irma!" I yelled, my voice cutting, tired of the charade.
She was reclining there, sprawled on the couch in an expensive, sloppy-looking silk robe. A half-full liquor bottle dangled from her hand, and a lit cigarette smoldered precariously near the material.
"Meaning of what?" she growled, stiff, deliberate movements from the couch puddle she was lounging on. "I don't remember making any promises."
The supercilious smile was already well-into formation, her eyes half-lidded. "You promised,"
I insisted.
"How am I ever going to get along without something I'm really addicted to?" she laughed, breathing slowly and blowing the smoke as if it were poetry.
I jeered, my thudding heart racing with anger.
"You're provoking me, Joanna. "That's not acceptable." My voice was raw, strained, but commanding.
I turned around to depart, not going to waste one more breath.
"Baby!" she shrieked.
I clamped up. My jaw solidified to granite.
"I'm your wife," she told me. "You knew who I was when you married me." You didn't marry a saint—you married me. And you married me because you love me like that."
I slowly rotated, walked towards her until I could see the bulging veins beneath her eyes and the scars she attempted to hide behind eyeliner and liquor.
I leaned in, my voice cold and quiet. “The only good thing you’ve ever done in this life is give birth to Kiara. Don’t ever forget that. She's the only reason we’re not divorced yet.”
I stepped back.
She laughed—loud, bitter, and cruel.
“Dad?”
A small, sleepy voice cut through the room like a miracle.
I turned instantly.
There she stood. My baby. My anchor. At the bottom of the stairs in pink pajamas, a bear clutched under her arm.
"My little angel," I cried, rushing to her. I knelt down quickly, covering her eyes with my hand.
"What are you doing awake, baby?"
"I heard sounds. "Are you all right?" Her voice was gentle, her concern genuine.
"Surprise," I whispered. "Come up and see."
"Really?" she exclaimed. "Did you get chocolates?"
I grinned. "You'll just have to wait and see. Close your eyes and grab Daddy's hand."
She giggled and did it, putting her tiny hand into mine. I swept her up in my arms and carried her upstairs, out of the hubbub, into the cozy warmth of her room.
"We're here! "Ta-da!" I put her on the bed and gestured to the gift box.
She opened her eyes and tilted her head. "Toys?"
I blinked. "What? You don't like them?"
She dramatically fluffed her hair, keeping a hand over her face. "Dad," I said, never brought me toys.
What about Pia and Pruett? The kingdom is not at peace."
Oh no. Not this fantasy kingdom nonsense now.
"I think you wanted the Fuji new model toys… They were on your wish list," I said, attempting to heighten her disappointment.
Her eyes flashed. "The Fuji toys?"
"Yes, my angel."
She glared at me. "Dad… did you read my diary?"
I hacked up a laugh. "No! I just glanced over your wish list, that's all. I didn't read anything else, I swear."
She examined my face like a detective. And nodded slowly. "Okay. I think you."
She scooted over and slowly lifted the lid of the toy box. Then her smile evaporated.
"Dad… I need to tell you something."
I sat beside her. "What is it, baby?"
"I didn't want the toys for me." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "They're for someone else."
I blinked. "Oh?"
"There is this boy in Grade Two. His name is Liam. He does not like me… He rejects my chocolates."
I grinned. "You offered chocolates to him? You never offered chocolates to me. You love this boy so much, I suppose."
She frowned. "That doesn't mean I love you any less."
I chuckled. "Of course not."
She sat up. "I overheard Liam talking to his friends about how much he wanted the Fuji toys.
I thought if I gave them to him, then. Then he'd be my friend."
My heart ached at her simplicity.
"Million-dollar toys, Angel. But if it makes you happy, go ahead."
Her face shone. "You're the best, Daddy! "You have no idea how much I love you.
She clutched me tightly and would not release me.
"And I'm glad I'm your Dad," I whispered.
She took a step back. "Please, Daddy."
"One more thing."
"Anything."
She paused. "What's the matter with Mom? She looked funny this morning."
I paused too.
"She's just doing grown-up things," I said diplomatically.
She c****d an eyebrow. "Then why doesn't Nanny Laurette do it? Or you?".
"It's like… grown-up medicine," I grumbled, struggling. "Grown-ups take it sometimes when they're sick."
"Is Mom sick?" she asked, advancing.
I nodded reluctantly. "Yes. That's why we have to be strong for her, okay?"
She sighed. "Is that why she pushed Nanny Laurette?"
I stood there, stunned. "Of course not".
"Mom lost her temper and started shouting back at her. Then Nanny came to lead me to my room, but Mom pushed her down the stairs. Her head bounced off the steps very hard, and she did not wake up. There was blood, Daddy. A lot of it."
My world collapsed.
"When did this happen?" I whispered.
"Earlier today. The guards took Nanny away, and the maids cleaned the entire house.
Daddy… is she going to be okay?"
I knelt down in front of her, attempting to hide the panic climbing up inside my chest.
"Nothing's going to happen to Nanny, okay?"
"Pinky promise?" She extended her little finger.
I wrapped my finger around hers. "I promise."
She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Okay, Angel. You need to sleep now. Daddy will come see you later, okay?"
"Can I come with you?"
"No, baby. Nanny will be home soon, and she will want to see your pretty face. Okay?"
She nodded. I put her into bed and kissed her forehead.
"Goodnight, Angel."
"Goodnight, Daddy."
I turned off the lights and closed the door.
Joanna lay fast asleep on the couch, her mouth half-open, an empty bottle at her side.
I made my phone call to security.
Thomas was outside the room in seconds.
"What in the hell happened today?" I snapped, keeping my rage in thin threads.
"I'm sorry, Boss." He had his head down.
"Where is she?"
"In the ICU."
I stepped forward. "You didn't think fit to tell me?
"Your wife… she threatened me. Told me if I said anything, she'd—
"You're afraid of her, but not afraid of what I'd do if something did go wrong in my own damn house, and I wasn't informed?"
He didn't speak.
"Laurette is everything to Kiara. To me. She's family. If anything ever happens to her—"
Thomas's phone rang.
He answered, his face white.
"Boss…" he shouted after me as I turned and departed.
I spun around and faced him.
"She's dead."
My heart grew
d to a halt.
Laurette was dead.
And at that instant, I knew this was not a broken home.
This was a war zone.
- Writer
