“I hate you!” Billy struggled volently in Henry’s arms, his small face flushed with anger. “Put me down! That mean lady said you don’t even want me!”
Henry’s expression darkened as he tightened his grip on our son “Billy, stop this nonsense right now. What mean lady Who taught you to say these things?”
“Isabella!” Billy shouted, his voice cracking with emotion. “She said you never wanted me! That I’m just a brat you have to take care of!”
I watched the color drain from Henry’s face. For a brief moment I thought I saw confusion flash in his eyes, but it quickly hardened into something colder.
“That’s enough,” Henry snapped, his voice taking on that commanding tone he frequently used. Isabella would never say such things. Someone’s been filling your head with lies.”
His accusatory gaze fell directly on me.
Billy’s body went rigid in Henry’s arms. “She did say it! When I called your phone this morning!” His voice rose higher, desperately trying to gain his father’s trust. “She said you’ll never love Mom! That you’re always complaining about me! That you only pretend to care about us!”
“I said that’s enough,” Henry growled, his patience clearly evaporating.
The same man who’d been gentle with Isabella hours earlier now glared at our five–year–old son like he was facing an
adversary.
“Do you believe me?” Billy cried out, his little hands forming fists as he pounded against Henry’s chest. “You always take her side! She’s not nice! She’s mean and fake! Mom says she just pretends to be sick to get your attention!”
My heart stopped.
Damn it, Billy. Some things shouldn’t be said in front of Henry.
Henry’s eyes snapped to mine, cold fury building behind them. “So that’s what this is about. The big one doesn’t listen, and now the little one is rebelling too.”
“Don’t blame him for your mistakes,” I warned, stepping forward. “He’s just a child.”
Henry’s grip on Billy tightened. “Be quiet and listen to me,” he commanded our son. ‘I don’t know what your mother’s beer telling you, but-”
“She’s right about everything!” Billy interrupted, his voice sharp with defiance. “Isabella is just pretending! When she thinks no one’s watching, she doesn’t even look sick! I saw her picture online eating at a fancy restaurant! Sick people don’t eat that kind of food!”
I hadn’t realized Billy had seen those photos. He was too observant for his own good.
Henry’s expression transformed into something I’d never seen directed at our son before–pure, unfiltered anger.
“That’s it. I won’t tolerate this disrespect anymore.”
14
Chapter 114
What happened next occurred so quickly I barely had time to react. Henry, apparently deciding to establish his dominance, grabbed Billy by the legs and flipped him upside down. Our son langled head–first, his face quickly reddening as blood
rushed to his head.
Dad!” Billy gasped. “Let me go- His words dissolved into violent coughing as he choked on his own saliva, his small body convulsing with each spasm.
Primal maternal instinct awakened inside me.
I lunged forward, a roar of fury tearing from my throat that I didn’t recognize as my own voice.
“PUT HIM DOWN, YOU BASTARD!” I screamed, clawing at Henry’s arms. “HE CAN’T BREATHE!”
Henry held firm, apparently believing this was just a disciplinary measure. “He needs to learn respect-
I didn’t let him finish. No longer caring about consequences, I grabbed my slipper and began wildly slapping it against Henry’s head and shoulders.)
“Let him go! LET HIM GO!” The slipper was useless against Henry’s strength. Billy’s coughing grew more violent, his small face now a frightening shade of crimson.
I felt desperate, dropped the slipper, and bit down on Henry’s forearm with all my strength.
I tasted blood immediately. The metallic flavor filled my mouth as I clamped down harder, thinking only of saving my son.
How much I once loved this man, and now I wanted to tear his flesh.
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