Chapter 4%
I didn’t care that my ribs screamed in protest. I didn’t care that Kevin was shouting behind us. This was my mother’s memory–the one thing I had left–and Jasmine had desecrated it like trash.
She laughed through gritted teeth, even as I pulled her hair “She was nothing. Just like you.”
We rolled, crashing into the edge of the counter with a thud. Her nails tore across my cheek, but I didn’t stop. Rage kept me going. Years of silence. Years of being blamed. Years of watching her manipulate and lie–and watching them all fall for it!
Kevin’s voice roared behind us. “What the hell are you doing?!”
He grabbed me and yanked me back hard by the arm. Pain seared through my shoulder. I barely had time to breathe before Jasmine started crying–faking it, of course–as she crawled dramatically to his side.
“She attacked me, she whimpered. “I was just trying to be nice to her…”
“What?” I gasped. “She burned Mom’s necklace! She threw away her ashes!”
My father stormed in, eyes wild. “Enough” he roared. “You ungrateful monster!“R
Before I could explain, his hand lashed across my face, I hit the floor with a sickening thud, tasting blood.
Kevin didn’t stop him. Neither did Jasmine.
“Look what you did to Jasmine!” Dad bellowed, “You’re a disgrace. I should’ve left you with that useless stepfather when your mother died. Should’ve never brought you back,”
I tried to crawl, to get away, but my body refused to cooperate. My ribs throbbed. My face burned. “Please.” I whispered. “Please stop.“) Kevin’s foot slammed into my side. I screamed
Blood pooled in my mouth. My vision blurred.)
I begged. “Please.. I’m hurt. 7
They didn’t care.!
“Pathetic” my father muttered. “She plays victim now.
“Let’s go.” Kevin said, grabbing Jasmine’s hand “She’s not even worth this.
And just like that–they left.
I lay on the cold floor, crumpled, bleeding, broken.
“Help” I whispered. “Somebody… please..”
But no one camel
When I woke up, the room was cold and sterile. A beeping noise pulsed beside me. My whole body ached–chest wrapped in gauze, bruises painting my skin. My mouth was dry, and my head pounded.!!
A nurse leaned over. “You’re awake. You’re lucky. If the man who brought you hadn’t rushed you in, you wouldn’t have made it. Internal bleeding. Fractured nbs Mild concussion,”
My throat cracked “Man?”
“He didn’t leave a name. Just told us you needed help… badly.”
I blinked at the ceiling, tears building. Another hospital room. Another near–death.
“Miss,” the nurse said gently, “this isn’t normal. Do you want to report this?”
I nodded, voice low. “Yes. I want to report everything.”
She squeezed my hand. “We’ll get the police here.”
I told them everything. The attack. The neglect. The abuse. But mostly–I told them about Jasmine. Because it always started with her. The lies. The manipulation The violence disguised as “family problems.
They listened They took notes, And for the first time. I felt heard.
Later, Kevin barged in. Anger was written all over his face. “What the hell is going on?! Charges? Police?! Are you insane?!“%
I sat up slowly, wincing “I’m not insane. I’ve just had enough”
He scoffed “Over what? An urn? You’re pressing charges over that? It’s not like she meant to=”
“She told me to die, Kevin,” I interrupted. “She looked me in the eyes and said she wished I was dead.”
He paused “You’re sisters. People say things in fights. Don’t make it serious.”
laughed bitterly “After everything? That’s all you have to say?”
“She didn’t mean it”
I looked away “Then neither do 17%
Jasmine entered the room later, fake tears already in place. “You don’t misunderstanding”
don’t need to worry. I’ll talk to the police. It was just a
u’ll drop
the charges,” he said firmly. “Now”
Gregory came in behind her, arms crossed. “You’ll
I didn’t respond I
“Do it, Isabella,” he said. “Apologize.”
They surrounded me Kevin. Jasmine. My father. I was alone again
“Fine.” I whispered. “Tll apologize.”
Jasmine smiled sweetly and leaned in to hug me. “It’s okay,” she said to the room. But in my ear, she hissed, “Why are you still alive? You should’ve died, but don’t worry, the next time, you will,”
I whispered back, “Don’t worry You’ll never see me again,”
t morning–far too early, but I knew why. Gregory had pulled strings
That night, I lay in bed, heart empty. The doctor discharged me the next m because he didn’t want to spend money on hospital bills. I
When I got home, Kevin was sitting at the dining table, signing some papers X
I walked over holding a folder. “Can you sign this?” I asked quietly.
He didn’t even look. “What now? Another bill? God, you’re a pain in the ass. We’ve been wasting so much money on your hospital trips. Next time, just don’t come back.”
He scribbled his signature and tossed the pen.l
I clutched the signed paper to my chest.
“Sure.” I murmured. “I won’t come back
He didn’t hear me. Didn’t care!
But I meant every word.
Tomorrow, I’d leave. Not quietly. Not with permission. But for good.
And this time–I’d make sure they remembered what it felt like to lose me. Because by the time they noticed I was gone. I’d already be too far to reach.
