“I told you both from the beginning–I was getting married,” I said, voice steady. “You saw the wedding dress. You saw the certificate. I’ve never lied to you.”
It was only then that the realization began to dawn in their eyes. Andrew and Daniel finally remembered the way I looked that day- dressed in white at the cemetery, solemn and resolved. They recalled the Whitmore heirloom ring, the one Demi had slipped onto my finger with trembling hands. They remembered how she had stood in as a mother figure, defending my decision without hesitation.
Andrew shook his head, violently, as if trying to erase the truth.”
“No. No, it’s not real. How could you have married him? He’s dead! He’s been dead for years!“}
Daniel, unhinged, could only shout, “Elise, stop this! You’re just trying to punish us for what happened with Chloe. You forged that certificate to hurt us!”
I looked at the two of them–grown men clinging to denial like children. And I shook my head, not out of pity, but exhaustion.” Beside me, Tommy stood like stone, his jaw tight.”
“You two can keep lying to yourselves,” he said. “But if either of you dares speak another word and hurt her again, I won’t be forgiving next time.”
He placed a steady hand on my back and walked with me past them.”
But they weren’t done.”
Andrew grabbed my arm.§
“Elise–come home with us,” he said, pleading. “Let’s go back. Back to our place. Our family.““]
Even with the truth staring them in the face, they couldn’t accept it. Because admitting that I was now their aunt–Tommy’s wife- meant losing me forever. And that, they couldn’t bear.”
But I was done bearing things for them.”
I looked them in the eye and felt nothing.”
No pain. No warmth. No nostalgia.
“I’m Tommy’s wife now. That makes me your aunt. So if you have any dignity left, show some respect.””
“And besides,” I added, “we never had a home. Not really. That place stopped being mine a long time ago.”}
I turned to leave.”
Then their voices rang out behind me–sharp, desperate.”
“Don’t forget–your parents‘ belongings are still in our hands!“}
That stopped me.“]
Even now, they had the audacity to threaten me with the only people I’d ever truly loved.
Something snapped.”
I turned around and strode right up to them.”
And then–slap.
Once.
Twice.
My palm struck each of their faces with all the fury I had swallowed for years.”
Gasps erupted across the room.
Chloe clutched her belly and cried out, shielding them with an air of helpless shock.”
“How dare you hit them?!”
But Andrew and Daniel didn’t even flinch.”
They just stared at me, hollow and broken.
“You destroyed my parents‘ belongings,” I said, my voice hoarse. “And now you want to destroy everything they left me?”
“Why? Why are you doing this to me? What did I ever do to deserve this?!“}
My roar silenced the entire hall.
Neither of them could look me in the eye.
They had never known how to love me. Only how to possess me. First with gifts and affection. Then with guilt. Now with leverage.”
Always pushing. Always taking.
Never giving.
Andrew finally stepped toward me and reached for my wrist again, softer this time.}
“Elise, we didn’t want to hurt you. We just didn’t want you to leave.”
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10:55 AM
Daniel added, “We know how much you hate feeling trapped. We just… we were afraid you’d disappear.””
Then, without warning, Andrew pulled Chloe closer behind him.”
“She’s pregnant because of you, you know.”
blinked. “What?”
“Yes,” he said quickly. “You’re the reason we did it. You’re sickly. You can’t conceive. So… we had Chloe carry a baby for you.“”
