Page 147 of The Addict

My lips curled. “Not to worry, Dad, your secret is safe with me.”

David went silent, and an unnatural stillness filled the space between us both. My adrenaline was already coursing through my veins.

“Satisfied?” I questioned with an incline of my head.

I recoiled when David reached forward. He took hold of the light blue tie around my neck that I had been in the midst of fixing before this chaos began.

“I love it,” David pushed the tie upwards harshly, causing me to gag. “When you call me, Daddy.”

I stayed still. I wasn’t afraid. “Don’t get used to it,” I spat.

David winked. “We’ll see.”

I gnashed my teeth together, knocking his hands away from my throat. I braced myself. “Get out.”

“Is that anyway to speak to your elder?” David laughed hysterically at my authoritative posture.

The tears threatened to emerge from the corners of my eyes. Because, for some reason, when I looked at this man, I could still see the guy who once loved me—a normal father and son love, not this twisted, sickening abomination that it was now.

“Is this any way to talk to your son?” I asked.

My question was hurled into the center of the conflict, impeding David’s laughter. He grew motionless as his eyes flicked over my face, narrowing.

“Hear me, Noah. Listen to me well.” His whisper cut through the air like a blade, and dread tightened in my throat.

David gave me a cruel smile. “I have never thought of you as my son.”

I was powerless to stop the harsh gasp that came out of my mouth. The pain was worse than being struck in the face, worse than being used. It was like a dagger had been driven straight into my heart. My jaw slackened, and whatever strength I contained in my posture crumbled instantly. My eyes welled up, tears rising without shame, bleeding into the silence. I didn’t care that David could see them. Let him. David looked on at me with abhorrence, motionless as stone, allowing his words precious time to seep deeper into the fractures he created.

“Don’t tell me you’re surprised?” he finally cackled.

I can’t breathe.

“You’re a little bitch.”

Nothing is going in.

Everything that I had strived for, every moment of my life spent trying to please this man, every second I used to try and better myself...

…all for nothing?

No, I received consolation, didn’t I?

A sharp cut to the heart, for all your efforts, Noah.

A midnight rape for your time spent, Noah.

A heart of unbreakable granite for all of the tears I consumed, hid away.

Salt, no, lemons, rubbed vigorously into my scars for keeping my mouth shut.

Hatred, for being alive.

Thank you, Noah.

“It’s the hard truth, Noah,” David ridiculed. “You were just,” he paused.

I flinched. Please don’t.