CHAPTER 8: NO CHARITY, NO MERCY
1073 Words
CASSIUS
A wave of anger surged through me the moment I heard it. Real anger, the kind that made my jaw ache. How could they hurt her? Their own blood. How could anyone be that cruel? My jaws gritted, teeth clenched, chest heaving as her tears fell. This was one thing I detest most.
The bandage wrapped around her head was a subtle reminder and evidence of her confession.
To begin with, they had come into my house. They had tried to kill someone under my roof.
I didn’t shout. I didn’t need to. Fury made the words small and sharp in my throat. My fist tightened until my knuckles whitened. This would not end quietly.
I was going to make sure of that. My fist clenched as my eyes twitched with rage at the thought.
I threw her a glance, she was nimbling on her lower lip in fear. For a split second, my gaze locked on them, admiring how small and cute they were.
I tore my gaze sharply, my chest tightening. What the hell was that just now?
“Spill it.” The words escaped my lips, low and firm. “Don't miss out on one single detail.” I muttered slowly, my gaze darkening.
Her tearful gaze locked with mine, but she looked away, taking in her lips.
I swallowed.
Tears still washed down her face. They weren't meant to move me one bit but I wondered why it did. It's just sympathy…nothing more.
She sniffled, bowing her head as she spoke. “I've always been treated like an outcast while my sister Daisy was treated like a princess. On our birthdays, my parents surprised her with cakes and special gifts. But I got nothing. Instead, I served endless punishments and got constantly hit.” Her voice trembled with hurt.
And for some reason, my rage only intensified as she narrated.
She wiped her tears with the back of her palm as she continued, not lifting her gaze. “Anytime Daisy did something wrong, she gets away with it. My parents always found a way to blame it on me. My father always seizes every opportunity to hit me–” Her voice broke, fresh hot tears streaming down her cheek.
My jaw tightened.
“Sometimes, I'm left to starve for days, surviving from the crumbs left. I barely had enough to eat. And anytime I tried to confront them on why I was being treated poorly, they cursed and hit me, threatening to sell me to a mafia boss–” She couldn't continue anymore as she broke down completely, her cries renting the air.
What sort of monstrous parents were they? My cheeks burned with rage.
“Aunt Nancy.” My voice rang out as she answered, arriving from the kitchen,hands clasped, head bowed.
“Take her upstairs–” I ordered, my gaze fixed on Daphne as she froze. She lifted her chin sharply, her eyes flickering with surprise and disbelief.
Aunt Nancy nodded, her lips parting into a soft smile. She extended her hand to shocked Daphne, who still sat still on the floor, her mouth agape.
Her eyes darted between Aunt Nancy's hand and I, her lips quivering. If I could guess her thought then she was probably thinking she misheard.
“Come with me.” Aunt Nancy nudged, a huge smile on her face. Slowly, Daphne reached for her hands, her palms trembling, chest heaving, sobs seized. Nancy pulled her to her feet, throwing her arms around her neck as she supported her.
“Tha–” She opened her mouth to speak but I cut in.
“Save it.” I muttered coldly, with a hand wave. “Staying here comes with a price.” I added, my jaws tightening.
Aunt Nancy's face fell.
Daphne took in her lips, nodding slowly. What did she expect? I'll let her stay here for free?
This was no charity home.
That aside, I still had something else to deal with.
“This has to end. And it will–today.” I muttered, pulling out my phone. Her parents needed to be sued. No! They needed to rot in jail.
“What–” She whispered but paused, her eyes widening a bit. My brows furrowed as I threw her a swift glance.
She swallowed. “What do you plan on doing?” She breathed, her words heavy with fear.
“What does it look like? I'm suing them for attempted murder, ofcourse.” I growled darkly.
She stumbled backwards, her pupils dilating. “No–No….please don't.” She begged, her tone shaky.
I stiffened. She still had the nerves to beg for that?
I threw her a sharp glare, my eyes darkening with rage. “Now listen to me.” I began, my voice low but dangerous. “You don't tell me what to do. Do you think I’m doing this because of you? I'm doing this because the act was done here. My house was violated. Get that into your damn skull.” I muttered devilishly through gritted teeth as she whimpered.
“Please–” She cried, her hands clasped as she almost fell to her knees but Aunt Nancy held her in place.
Damn those tears!
“Please, don't do this. Please–” Her voice trembled with hurt, grief and dread.
Rage flared in me again—hotter, sharper. How could she beg for the safety of people who’d come to kill her? It made me feel unmoored, as if any clear line between right and wrong had blurred. I hated her weakness—the way she folded, the way she begged for forgiveness for crimes committed against her.
My patience thinned as I gripped her jaw, not rough, not violent but hard enough to steady her. “It's either you let me handle this my own way or you leave…..and never come back.” I growled, teeth clenched.
She sniffled, her eyes glassy.
Aunt Nancy ushered Daphne toward the stairs, her steps composed, her smile practiced. Daphne hesitated on the second step. For a fleeting second she looked back at me—eyes sad, empty. She held a question in that look; it was the sort of question people ask when they are deciding whether to trust a man who already holds power over them.
I let the question hang. I had responsibility, yes. A house to protect.
- Writer
