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"If I couldn’t have him, he couldn’t have you," my mother hisses. "But he would pay. I was going to take everything from him and finally have the life I deser—"
The pressure around my neck disappears, and I suck in as much oxygen as I can. I'm faintly aware of shuffling, raised voices, and then a door slamming shut, but my entire focus is on breathing. I have no idea how long it takes before I open my eyes and come face to face with the man who has given me the creeps since the first time I saw him at Magnolia’s.
"Princess, I told you to watch your mouth if you want to come out of here alive," he chastises me as his gaze moves down my legs then up to my face. "Or walking."
He doesn't mean it as a threat. It's a simple fact. He said he'd known my mother her entire life. She would paralyze her own child without a second thought.
"She can have the money," I croak, lifting a hand to wipe my stinging eyes.
I don't care about that. I only had it for, what, a week? I never planned on being rich. I was going to go to college on a partial scholarship and get a job. All I want is to go home to Rhys and my family. Fresh tears start to fall. Rhys.
Gray nods, no sympathy for my current state visible on his features. "Good. I'm gonna leave the contract here." He lifts it and glances down, stiffening. His eyes narrow, and he flips the pages. His nostrils flare, but he smoothes his features. Placing everything within my reach, he locks eyes with me once more. "You have quite the amount in your name." He pushes himself up, and with one last glance down at me, he leaves.
I remainon my back for a long time after Gray leaves. Emily’s words replay in my head over and over. It never crossed her mind that her words could hurt me—her daughter. It’s like she has no feelings.
Eventually, I force myself to stop letting her verbal slap to the face break me further. I have a family. I have a mother, a father, and a sister. I have Rhys. And I have Nate. This woman means nothing to me. I repeat those words over and over in my head until Emily’s slowly begin to lose their meaning.
Gathering the little strength I have left, I attempt to maneuver myself into a sitting position against the wall. With still no feeling in my legs or butt, this simple task is the equivalent of a two-hour sparring match with Spence. I'm drenched in sweat. I topple over twice due to the lack of sensation in my lower half, and frustration makes me slam my palm into the mattress until my hand hurts.
I. Smack. Refuse. Smack. To. Smack. Give. Smack. Up. Smack. Smack. Smack.
"Arrrrrrg!" With one last push, I am finally upright.
I eye the cup in front of the mattress. Out of my reach. Shit. I need water, but it’s empty anyway. And there is no way for me to refill it myself. Fuck!
I glance at my legs and poke a thigh with my finger. Nothing. A pit opens in my stomach, and it feels like a hummingbird took residence in my chest—and not in a good way. What if Emily was wrong and it is permanent? She said Gray gave me too much. I poke the other leg. There has to be a way to make the numbness go away. I reach behind one knee and pull the leg up, but as soon as I let go, it flops to the mattress. I keep pushing into the muscles, no idea if it'll do anything, but I have to try something. Stay busy.
I'm on it for who knows how long when the door suddenly flies open, and I whip my head in the direction of the noise.
"What did you do?" Emily is standing in the door, legs apart, her arms hanging at her side. Her tone is so low and void of emotion that the alarm bells in my head immediately go off.
"W-what do you mean?" My heart starts pounding as my mother stalks toward me. I notice that she is holding something in her hand. Gray’s knife. It’s not hard to recognize, given the fact it’s a KA-BAR. Tristen has several of those, and I’ve even seen some in George’s arsenal.
"Where is Gray?" I press my hands into the mattress and my back further against the wall.
"Gray is sleeping off whatever he shot up his veins this time. Now, tell me, what did you do?" she snarls.
"I have no clue what you’re talking about." Fear settles in my bones. Has she completely lost her mind?
"I can’t reach Elise." Where I sound like a hysterical mouse, her tone is calm and monotone.
"Who the hell is Elise?" I press sideways as she takes a step closer, but it only makes me fall over again.
Fucking damn it!
"Elise was supposed to watch Henry while I took care of you."
I remain mute, focusing on pushing myself away from her as she continues her prowl.
"She didn't give me the usual update, and when I called, her phone went to voicemail. The doctor isn't supposed to be back until tomorrow, so I'm asking you again...what did you do?"
"I've been here the entire time, you crazy bitch. What do you think I did? Pulled out my magic phone and called the police in Westbridge, sending them to an unknown location where you're hiding my not-father?" Apparently, her drugs have also paralyzed my rational thinking because the words are out before I can stop them.
Of course, my outburst pushes her over the edge. Emily loses it and attacks.
"WHO DID YOU CALL A BITCH?!" I see the knife go in, but I don’t feel a thing.
Eyes wide, I stare at the hilt sticking out of my thigh.
