Chapter 14 The Other House
590 Words
A sharp phone ring breaks the silence in the room.
The voice on the other end is that bad woman's: "Edward, come back, I feel awful."
Genevieve's voice is weak, like she can barely breathe, begging Daddy to come back.
Daddy's hand shows blue veins, and the air around him makes even me shiver.
He listens to her, then says: "Got it."
After he hangs up, Daddy looks back at Mommy's room one more time, then walks out.
I watch myself getting farther from Mommy and stand in front of him: "Don't go. Mommy's waiting for you."
"I don't want to see that bad woman either. I want Mommy."
My uncontrollable body makes me so sad.
I don't want Daddy. I want to be with Mommy.
But it's like someone's playing a prank — I'm tied to Daddy.
No matter how I block him, Daddy walks through my body again and again.
And I get dragged farther along.
I just hope Daddy comes back to be with Mommy soon.
The car drives a few minutes and pulls up at another estate.
I stare.
This estate looks just like the one I live in now — actually, identical.
But Mommy told me our Cold Spring Estate was one of a kind, the only one in the world.
Because she and Daddy had designed it together for a long time.
It was their first real home of their own.
I look at Daddy, don't understand.
Why is Daddy someone else's now, and the home too?
And why is it so close?
Did Mommy ever see it?
Was Mommy even more hurt than me?
Before I can sort through all my feelings, I'm pulled inside.
As soon as we enter, Genevieve is coming down the stairs slowly, leaning on the banister.
She looks tired.
She rubs her belly, says to Daddy: "You're back. I waited for you forever."
"My belly's uncomfortable. I want you to take me to see a doctor."
Daddy looks at her steady: "There's a doctor at home. And a driver."
Genevieve's face flashes embarrassed, then she says: "It's different when you're with me. I feel safer."
Daddy laughs, cold: "Okay, drop the act. I have things to settle with you too."
Hearing this, Genevieve's face actually goes pale.
But a second later, she walks over to Daddy, pulls a smile: "Edward, what do you mean?"
Daddy taps the table, eyes locked on Genevieve.
I look at Daddy's eyes, get scared, find a spot a little ways off to hide.
Genevieve's back starts to sweat, doesn't answer, instead asks: "I heard there was a smell over at the other place. What's going on?"
Her question hits Daddy's sore spot.
He stands up suddenly, grabs Genevieve by the throat.
This move — Genevieve experienced last time.
Before he even squeezes, Genevieve's body starts shaking.
I see Daddy like this for the first time, scared, yelp.
Then I cover my mouth, afraid they'll hear.
But then I remember they can't see me, and relax a bit.
I hear Daddy say, word by word: "Vivienne is dead. Emma is dead. Are you satisfied?!"
Dead?
Me and Mommy are dead?
I crouch on the floor, can't believe it.
This is the second time I've heard "dead" today, so Daddy isn't lying.
Daddy is a grown-up, he knows what dead means.
But if I'm dead, I'm still here, so what about Mommy?
My eyes fill with tears, drop after drop down my cheeks.
"Where's my mommy?" I ask Daddy, ask myself, but there's no answer.
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