SCARLET POV
I was taken aback by the cruel things my father had said. Deep down, I always knew he didn’t have my best interests at heart; if he did, he wouldn’t have treated me so poorly throughout my life. But hearing those venomous words spill from his lips, coupled with the look of disdain he shot my way, shattered another part of me inside.
I couldn’t fathom what I had done to deserve such treatment, but no matter the reason, nothing could excuse a lifetime of rejection and humiliation. He was responsible for every ounce of suffering I had endured, especially since he was supposed to be my protector—not my stepmother or anyone else in that house. Yet, it was Barbara who truly cared for me. She was like a mother to me, and my love for her ran deep. She gave me everything she had, even
