Chapter 4
Blood trickled from her hand, and Levi instantly lost control.
He grabbed the glass of water from the table and smashed it over my head.
“You just can’t stand to see Sherilyn happy, can you? Were you trying to kill her?”
“If it weren’t for her kindness–her choosing to move out rather than argue with you–would you even have the right to stay in this house?”
My scalp burned as my mother seized a fistful of my hair. Her face had gone cold, all her pretense was gone.
Helpless in her grip, I endured several hard slaps before she dragged me into the bathroom.
A bucket of icy water crashed over me, making me shiver violently.
“You think you’re something? You’re not even worth one of Sherilyn’s fingers! If it weren’t for the blood ties, you wouldn’t deserve to stay here at all!”
Her fury made her face flush crimson, her words cutting without restraint–because I had crossed her bottom line.
Soaked and trembling, I stumbled back, fumbling for my phone.
“Hello? 911? Yes, I’ve been assaulted. I want to file a report. My address is-”
Before I could finish, Levi lunged at me, snatching the phone from my hands and smashing it to the ground.
“Are you insane? If you’re sick, go to a mental hospital! Why the hell are you calling the police?”
I locked my eyes on them.
My stare made Levi falter, just for a second.
My father stepped forward, clearly intending to hit me. I lifted my chin, showing my face.
“Go on–make it count. Tomorrow, everyone at your company will know their boss is a violent thug.”
The police arrived quickly.
One glance, and their seasoned eyes recognized a family dispute.
One of them tried to ease the tension.
“Whatever the problem is, can’t you talk it out without resorting to violence?”
My mother shot me a murderous glare, carefully shielding Sherilyn behind her.
“Officer, arrest her! I refuse to believe no one can control her!”
She was protecting Sherilyn down to the bone.
I insisted on pressing charges. The injuries on my body were all the proof I needed. But
Everyone Favored My Cousin, and I Was Disowned
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family cases were messy, even for the police.
When my mother tried to hurl another insult, an officer cut her off with a warning look. “If this can’t be resolved privately,” the officer said, “then you’ll all need to come down to the station with us.”
“Absolutely not!” my mother blurted. “That would leave a stain on Sherilyn’s record! No way!”
My image–conscious father immediately echoed her. If they got taken in, who knew what kind of rumors would spread?
Nosy neighbors chimed in, saying I was in the wrong and urging me to settle the matter quietly.
“I can agree to a private settlement,” I said, pointing at my bruised face, “but I want compensation.”
My father, clearly reluctant, transferred me ten thousand dollars. It wasn’t much for him, but it was the point–I wanted him to choke on the gesture.
“And one more thing,” I added. “I want a formal letter of disownment.”
“From today on, I, Celine Howard, will have nothing to do with your family.”
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