Chapter 5%
a
My mom and dad… They had a love story that could’ve been out of a movie. From school sweethearts to wedding rings.
She was a little princess from one of West Virginia’s four great families. And Dad was a nobody.S
But she loved him anyway. Cut ties with her family. Sold off 80 million in shares just to marry him.
She followed him through the dirt–basements, deliveries, late nights in smoky clubs with fake smiles just to help him rise.1 And the moment he succeeded… when I was six…. he cheated on her. With someone else. Had a child.
Brought that illegitimate child home.”
While Mom… She was just a housewife by then. Dependent. Alone. Powerless.
‘How could she not be depressed? She couldn’t take me with her. She couldn’t go home. She had no way out, so she jumped.”
My body shook, lips trembling as the memories stabbed through me. Tears spilled down my face in heavy drops.
Then my father walked in.
He didn’t look angry. Just hollow.”
He sighed. “Presley, you and Blairie… are both my daughters. I failed your mother. I know that. I never treated Blairie well either. But look, this isn’t her fault. She’s too weak right now. Just save her this once, please.
“The past is done. We’re family. That’s all that matters now.“}
‘Family? Family?! The girl I protected like a sister… is the one who practically killed my mother! Everything I ever gave her… every bit of kindness… all of it? One big, disgusting joke!“}
I swept every tray and tool off the table, metal crashing to the floor.
“To hell with you all! You monsters! Bastards!“}
My father’s face twisted in rage. There was a moment of silence until… he slapped me once more!
“Where’s your mother’s grace and kindness?! You selfish brat! I spoiled you too much–now look what you’ve become!2
“She’s pregnant! You’re her sister! What’s so hard about giving her a little blood?!“&
Then he turned to the doctor.
“Do it. Sedate her. She’s gone too far.”
Suddenly I was being held down–three, maybe four doctors pinning me to the chair.
And that’s when I remembered–Dad and Orville funded this hospital.
I couldn’t do anything but watch as the needle pierced my skin.
“Orville!” I shouted. “How could you just stand there?! Look at me! Answer me!“>
But he wouldn’t even blink,”
He just kept his eyes locked on the syringe–on the blood he’d stolen from me for his other woman.
