Scribblings From Latté

28/08/2024

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CHAPTER SIX: THIS SHOULD BE FUN

“Easy there now, mother.” Aurora said as she and Liam gently helped her mother get into the backseat of the car.

It had been two days since the incident at the hospital, and although the news had been spreading like wildfire, Aurora and her mother were blissfully unaware. Liam had pulled some strings to have them discharged as quickly as possible, for he knew that it was not safe to keep them there.

As they all piled into the car and Liam started it, Aurora couldn't help but ask the burning question on her lips.

“Where are we going now, Mister Liam?” She asked slowly as she looked at her mother and then at him.

“We can't go back home!” Mrs. Brookes struggled to say, her voice weak but determined.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Brookes," Liam said, his voice gentle. "I'm not taking you back there. I promised Aurora I would keep you safe, and I intend to keep that promise." He glanced in the rearview mirror, meeting her eyes with a reassuring look.“I am taking both of you to my house.”

Mrs. Brookes let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders sagging with gratitude. "Thank you so much," she said, her voice trembling. "I don't know what we would have done without you." Her eyes filled with tears, threatening to spill.

"You're very welcome," Liam replied, a small smile playing on his lips.

As they drove through the city, a sense of calm washed over Aurora and her mother. They watched the city pass by through the window, the tall buildings and crowded streets fading into the distance. As they drove out of the city and into the suburbs, the scenery changed. Green hillsides and sprawling estates came into view, and it felt like a breath of fresh air after the hustle and bustle of the city.

Finally, they pulled up to a grand estate, its gates opening to reveal a sprawling mansion set against a lush green lawn. Aurora couldn't help but gasp as she took in the sight. It was like something out of a fairy tale. A long driveway led up to the house, with beautiful flower gardens and a fountain in the center. It was like a scene from a movie, and Aurora felt like she had been transported to another world.

Right from the front gate to the entrance, her mouth was left open as she wondered how a house could be this amazing.

This is not a house, it's a mansion! She thought.

As they pulled up to the front door, a butler opened the car door and welcomed them inside. Aurora's mother seemed overwhelmed by the grandeur of it all, but she was comforted by the warm and friendly atmosphere of the estate.

They were greeted by a row of servants, bowing their heads in deference to their master. Aurora felt a little out of place, but she tried to keep her head held high. She couldn't help but feel like an important person as she walked with Liam. He exuded an aura of authority and control, but there was also something cold and distant about him.

As they walked into the house, Aurora's eyes widened in awe. The interior was even more beautiful than the exterior, with art adorning the walls and chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. The furniture was plush and inviting, and Aurora couldn't help but sink into the cushions, amazed at how comfortable they were.

Aurora never knew that a cushion could be so soft and enticing.

As they took their seats, a well-dressed young man approached them from the entrance. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, with a pair of glasses perched on his nose. He seemed to glide across the floor, his movements graceful and precise.

"You came just in time, Nathaniel.”

Liam said, as the man stood before him with his head bowed. Nathaniel was one of Liam's most trusted employees, and he had a knack for knowing exactly when and where he was needed.

"Thank you, sir," Nathaniel replied, raising his head. “You said it was a matter of urgency.”

“I did say so.” Liam agreed. “Take a seat.” He gestured.

He took a seat across from Liam, ready to assist in any way he could.

"Forgive my manners," Liam said, turning to Mrs. Brookes and Aurora. "This is Nathaniel Cruz, my secretary. Nathaniel, this is Mrs. Brookes and her daughter, Aurora." He gestured to each of them in turn.

Nathaniel stood up and bowed politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you both," he said, his voice warm and pleasant. His eyes lingered on the bruises and cuts that covered their bodies, but he made no mention of them, not wanting to cause any offense.

"It's nice to meet you, too," Aurora and her mother responded, conscious of his stares.

“Now that we have all got to know ourselves,” Liam started off in a friendly tone. “Let's get down to business.” His tone was more businesslike now.

Aurora, her mother and Mister Nathaniel listened attentively to what Liam was about to say.

“Mrs. Brookes,” he addressed Mrs. Brookes, but she interrupted him before he could finish.

"Please, call me Diana," she said, a warm smile on her face.

Liam nodded, pleased that she had chosen to be on a first-name basis with him. "Diana,”

"What happened to you and your daughter is heartbreaking," Liam said, his voice full of compassion. "No man should ever raise his hand against his wife or daughter, regardless of the situation. But your husband did it to both of you, repeatedly. I am not a man of violence and will never support it. Your husband's actions are inexcusable and cannot be condoned." He paused, giving his words time to sink in. "Violence is never the answer, and I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to ensure that justice is served." He looked at Mrs. Brookes, his eyes full of sincerity. "I know this is a difficult time for you, and I'm here to help in any way.”

"And that's why I need to know that you're willing to work with me on this," Liam continued. "I need to know that you want my help. That you're ready to put your trust in me and let me help you make sure this never happens to another woman." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. “Do you want my help, Diana?”

The silence that followed was deafening, so much that if a pin was dropped, it could be heard. All eyes were focused on Aurora's mother as they waited for her to say something.

“Please say yes, mother.” Aurora pleaded with her after the silence was growing too long.

Mrs. Brookes looked at Liam, then at Nathaniel, and he knew what she was thinking.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Brookes," he said, his voice gentle and reassuring. "Everything we discuss here will remain confidential. I give you my word."

Mrs. Brookes eased up and took a deep breath, her eyes welling up with tears. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes!" she said, her voice raw and hoarse with emotion.

"I want him to pay for what he's done! That deadbeat of a husband who made me lose three of my pregnancies, I want him to rot in jail! He's taken so much from me, and I want justice!" Her voice broke, and she buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. Aurora put her arm around her mother, crying as well. The pain and trauma of the past few years was finally coming to the surface, and it was overwhelming.

Liam and Nathaniel sat in stunned silence, watching the mother and daughter as they cried. They had no words, no idea how to console them at that moment. All they could do was sit there, bearing silent witness to the pain and grief that this family had been through. It was a moment that would stay with them both for a long time to come.

"Because of his abuse, I've lost three pregnancies," Mrs. Brookes said in between sobs, her voice cracking. "One was seven months along, another was five months, and the third was just a day old when I was hit so badly that I started bleeding. I lost the baby, and he never stopped. He just kept on, like it was nothing. Like he hadn't just killed three of our unborn children."

Liam could help but feel a pang of pain and sadness in his heart and, for the first time, it was visible on his face. Mr Nathaniel was also in shock when he saw Liam's face. He never knew that his boss could have an expression.

“Thank you for sharing such a hurtful story, Mrs. Brookes.” Liam said as his heart filled with sheer hatred for Aurora's father. “I will make him pay for what he did to the both of you!”

Eventually, the sobs subsided, and Mrs. Brookes lifted her head from her hands. Her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy, but there was a new strength in her gaze. "Thank you," she said, her voice hoarse but determined. "I know this won't be easy, but I'm ready to do what it takes to make sure he can never hurt anyone else again.”

"Nathaniel," Liam said, his voice steady and commanding.

"Right away, sir. Don't worry, I'll take care of it." Nathaniel responded, his own voice firm and resolute.

"Find that man, wherever he is," Liam said, his voice hard and cold. "And make him suffer just the way he did to them before you put him in jail!" There was no room for doubt in his words, and Nathaniel understood exactly what he meant.

Mister Nathaniel nodded his head and Mrs Brookes wiped her tears and sniffed her nose.

“Thank you so much, sir.” She said, her voice tinged with gratitude as Nevada cleaned her tears.

"You don't have to thank me," Liam said, a warm smile on his face. "I'm simply keeping a promise I made to Aurora. And please, call me Liam." He wanted to make sure she felt comfortable in his home.

"Nathaniel here will take care of everything, so you don't need to worry about a thing," Liam continued. "We've prepared two rooms for you and your mother, with everything you could possibly need. There are clothes and other necessities in the rooms, and a doctor and nurse from the hospital will come every Friday to check on your condition. Feel free to make yourself at home. Breakfast is ready for you whenever you're hungry, and my staff are at your service. You can ask me or them for anything you need, at any time."

"I don't know what to say," Aurora said, her voice soft and sincere. "You've done so much for us, and we're so grateful." She looked around the room, taking in the luxurious surroundings. It was like a dream, and she couldn't quite believe it was real.

"Please, don't thank me," Liam said. "Think of it as a blessing from above, a small consolation for all you've been through. I do have to leave for the office now, but I'd like to speak with you, Aurora, before I go." He led her to his work space in his house, a comfortable and elegant space, but that wasn't what was on Aurora's mind. She was wondering what it was that Liam wanted to discuss with her.

“I called you here to tell you that," Liam began, his gaze serious and intent. "You'll be having dinner with my family this evening. I plan to introduce you as my soon-to-be wife, and our wedding will be taking place next week."

Aurora's eyes widened in shock. "What?" she stammered. "I don't understand - how? Why?" She couldn't wrap her head around what he was saying. Why would he do that? She was still reeling from the events of the last few days, and now he was adding another layer of complexity to the already complicated situation. She was beginning to feel overwhelmed, and she wasn't sure how to respond.

"I know this might seem sudden, but I need your help," Liam said, his eyes pleading. "There's a power struggle going on within my family, and the only way for me to come out on top is if you come to dinner with me. I can't tell you everything right now, but I promise that I will one day when all of this is over."

Aurora's mind was racing. Should she agree to help him? She didn't know what was at stake, and she wasn't sure if she could trust him. But something about his eyes told her that he was being honest with her.

"Aurora," Liam said, his voice pleading. "Will you help me?"

Aurora took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She didn't know what to do, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she owed Liam something for saving her life. And besides, she didn't want to let him down.

"I will," she said, her voice steady and sure. "You saved my life, and my mother's, and I can't thank you enough. I'll do whatever you need."

A smile spread across Liam's face. "Thank you, Aurora. You don't have to worry about anything, I'll take care of it.”

“Okay.” Aurora mouthed, a smile on her lips.

“I'll take my leave now,” Liam announced. “I need to head to the office.”

Aurora nodded in support as they both exited the room.

….

Liam arrived at his office feeling lighter than he had in days. As he walked through the lobby, his employees greeted him with a respect that made him feel humbled and honored. His secretary met him at his office door, a small smile on her face.

"Sir, you have some guests waiting for you in the conference room," she said. Liam raised an eyebrow, curious to know who it could be.

"Who is it?" Liam asked his secretary, trying to keep his voice neutral.

"Your siblings," she replied. "They've been waiting for a while now."

Liam nodded, giving her a small smile before she left the room.

Alone in his office, Liam felt a sense of satisfaction, and he smirked delightfully as he thought about the situation. He stood up from his chair, preparing to face his siblings. He walked out of his office and headed straight for the conference room. He opened the door and stepped inside.

As he stepped inside, he met his siblings rising to their feet, staring at him impatiently, their eyes filled with hatred and distaste.

“This should be fun!” Liam said in his mind.

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28/08/2024

‼️ NEW AUDIO SERIES ALERT ‼️

🥀 SAVED BY MR. L

SIGNED EXCLUSIVELY TO POCKET FM

CHAPTER FIVE: NEW HOPE CLINIC

After three long hours, Doctor Matthew emerged from the operating room. Liam stood up nervously.

"The procedure was a success," Doctor Matthew said, pride evident in his tone. "Both your fiancée and her mother are doing well. We'll be moving them to a private room where they'll receive daily care and medication."

Liam breathed a sigh of relief. "Can I see them?" he asked.

“I'm afraid not, young master.” Doctor Matthew let out slowly. “They are both unconscious and need adequate rest, but in the next few hours you will be able to.”

“Thank you, Doctor Matthew,” Liam expressed as the doctor took a bow and turned to leave.

The tension was palpable. Liam's eyes were narrowed, and his tone was low and dangerous. "The bruises,” he said slowly, stopping Doctor Matthew in his tracks. “Make sure no one hears about the bruises, and keep your employees in line."

Doctor Matthew turned to face Liam before he spoke.

“I don't know what you are talking about, young master.” Doctor Matthew said in a tone that meant that he knew what was being said. “The bruises? What bruises? We never saw anything. Just your fiancée and mother-in-law being treated for high body temperature, nothing else.”

“Good, now stick to that.” Liam said, a smirk of satisfaction played both their lips.

Doctor Matthew was always one step ahead, he knew exactly what needed to be done without being told. That's what Liam loved about him. After giving a bow, he turned to leave the room when a nurse came running, out of breath.

"Doctor Matthew," she gasped, "there's a group of reporters outside the hospital, and they're trying to force their way in!"

The doctor's eyes widened, and he turned to look at Liam, who was still standing there, motionless.

"What? What are the security guards doing?" Doctor Matthew asked, his voice tight with worry mixed with terror.

"They're trying to keep the reporters out, but they're being very persistent," the nurse replied, her voice quavering.

Liam remained outwardly calm, feigning ignorance. "Do you know why they're here?" he asked.

"I think they must have found out about the patients you brought in, young master." the nurse said, glancing nervously at Liam.

"But how?" Liam demanded, feigning anger. "I thought I told you to keep it a secret!"

"I don't know how they found out," the doctor stammered, his face pale. "But I'll get to the bottom of this, I promise. Just stay here." With that, he and the nurse rushed out.

“Let's go, nurse!” He said as they headed for the entrance.

Liam smirked to himself, then took a deep breath and slowly headed for the hospital entrance.

"Mister Anderson! Mister Anderson!" the reporters shouted, their voices clamoring over each other, as Doctor Matthew and the nurse approached them.

"This isn't Mister Anderson," the doctor said firmly, stepping before the crowd, as the cameras kept on flashing at him. "Mister Anderson is not here."

But the reporters would not be dissuaded. "Then where is he?" one of them asked, pushing forward.

"Excuse me, May I have your attention, please?" Doctor Matthew said loudly, and the reporters finally fell silent. "I'm Doctor Matthew Paul, head doctor of The New Hope Clinic. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you all to leave. You're creating a disturbance that's disrupting the treatment of our patients. We have patients here that need adequate rest and total silence, and your loud voices and cameras flashing are disrupting this. If you don't leave within the next two minutes, we'll have to take legal action."

"But we received information that Mister Anderson is in the building," one of the reporters protested. "We have a right to speak to him!"

“Mister Anderson is clearly not here!” Doctor Matthew said, trying to convince them.

"But we have information that he arrived with two women hours ago," another reporter insisted. "Where are they now?"

“They are not here, and I'd advise you all to leave or else-” Doctor Matthew tried to explain, but the reporters were not listening. Their voices were raised in agitation, their cameras flashing.

"Mister Anderson!" the reporters cried, their voices clamoring for his attention. "Over here, Mister Anderson! Mister Liam Anderson, can we have a word with you?!"

Liam emerged from the hospital entrance, his expression impassive. He stood tall and straight, surveying the crowd of reporters with steely eyes. For a moment, the only sound was the click of camera shutters.

Doctor Matthew's eyes widened as he whispered to Liam by his side, "What are you doing here, young master? I told you I would handle it."

Liam remained still and composed as he listened, his gaze focused on the reporters in front of him. The flashes from their cameras were nearly blinding, but he didn't seem to notice. His gaze was steady and unflinching, exuding a sense of power and authority.

"I thought I should lend you a hand," Liam said, a sly smile playing on his lips. "I've got this under control, Doctor Matthew."

Doctor Matthew nodded, took a bow and took a step back, allowing Liam to take the lead.

"Mister Anderson," one of the reporters called out, "is it true that you arrived here with two women hours early ago?"

"And who are those women, Mister Anderson?" another reporter chimed in. "Can you tell us what your relationship is with those two women?”

"Mister Anderson!" a reporter called out. "We got information that the women had bruises on their bodies when they came in, is that true? Did you do that to them?"

“Say something, Mister Anderson!” Another voice filled the air.

The questions came in a barrage, one after the other, the reporters clamoring for an answer. Liam's eyes scanned the crowd of reporters. He remained calm and composed, taking a moment to collect his thoughts before responding. He cleared his throat before addressing them.

"A good morning to you all," he began, his voice loud and clear. "I understand that you're just trying to do your jobs, and I'm happy to answer your questions, but first, I need you to please keep your voices down."

The crowd fell silent, all eyes fixed on Liam. The only sound was the clicking of cameras.

Liam's lips curved into a sly smile as he continued. "Thank you very much for complying," he said, his voice dripping with a domineering aura. "Now, let's get down to business. I'm ready to answer your questions."

The reporters leaned in, their cameras and microphones pointed directly at Liam. The atmosphere was tense, and everyone waited with bated breath to hear what he had to say.

"To answer your first question, yes, it's true that I arrived with two women," Liam said, his voice cool and collected. The cameras clicked away, as the reporters leaned in, eager to hear his response. "As for your second question, those two women are my fiancée and my soon-to-be mother-in-law. They have just arrived in the country."

There was a collective gasp from the crowd as the cameras clicked even faster, and the reporters leaned forward, their mics poised for his next words. The tension was overwhelming.

"In response to your last question," Liam began, "I have to set the record straight. My fiancée and her mother were not injured in any way. I rushed them to the hospital because they had high temperatures after arriving this morning."

A reporter spoke up. "Mister Anderson, how is it that no one ever knew about your fiancée? You're a well-known figure, so how did you keep this a secret?"

Liam remained unfazed. "I've always valued my privacy, and that of my loved ones," he said. "I appreciate your interest, but I've always kept my personal life out of the public eye. I apologize for keeping this from my family, but it was necessary to protect the privacy of those I love.” He went on, feigning sadness and regret.

He bowed his head slightly, as if in shame. "My fiancée, Aurora Brookes, and I have been together for two years. We were planning to get married this month, but something came up, and we had to push the date forward. I proposed over the phone, and she accepted. I immediately booked flights for her and my future mother-in-law to come to the country, so we could plan the wedding together. But when they arrived, I noticed that my fiancée was running a fever, so I rushed her to the hospital. I'm so grateful that she's doing much better now, and we can start making wedding plans again."

Liam explained his concocted lies in a believable way.

The cameras clicked even more with every word that left his lips.

“Mister Anderson, what made you push the date forward?” One of the reporters asked.

“I can't say, it's a matter of privacy.” Liam answered coldly as he gave death stares to the reporter who asked the question.

The reporter shifted in his seat under the gaze of Liam before he asked “Mister Anderson, when will the wedding take place?”

“Next week!” Liam announced with a bright smile. “We haven't decided on a date yet, but you're all cordially invited.”

The reporters gasped, and the clicking of their cameras increased in intensity. For a moment, there was complete silence, as if they were too stunned to speak. Then, a chorus of questions erupted, all competing for Liam's attention.

Liam raised his hands, signaling for quiet. "I think I have done justice to your questions. I want to plead with you all to exit the premises and let the hospital return to its normal serenity. We need to keep it calm and quiet for the sake of our patients. I appreciate your understanding.” Liam bowed and addressed the crowd once more.

The reporters continued to clamor for his attention, but Liam turned and walked back into the hospital, leaving them behind. They continued to shout and take photos, but their voices slowly faded away as he disappeared from view.

….

Dominica woke up that morning and headed for the living room for her normal routine of morning news and coffee. The coffee had already been placed on the table by her maids. She arrived in the living room, still in her nightwear as she took a seat, sipped her coffee and turned on the television, the volume low.

The headline she saw made her drop the coffee on the tray abruptly.

‘BREAKING NEWS: 'LIAM ANDERSON, YOUNGEST SON OF THE ANDERSON FAMILY, SET TO MARRY HIS FIANCÉE NEXT WEEK!' the headline read.

“What?” Dominica let out a scoff. "Liam has a fiancée?!" she said, her disbelief clear in her voice.

Dominica's eyes widened, and she immediately turned up the volume of the television as she attentively listened, her back up against the sofa.

“Hi, I'm Chelsea Green, reporting live outside the New Hope Clinic where Mister Liam Anderson, the youngest son of the Anderson family, has announced his plan to get married to his girlfriend of two years next week.” The news anchor began.

“Mister Liam disclosed this during an interview with the press in the early hours of the morning outside the hospital entrance. Mister Liam, who is one of the sons of Mister Gray Anderson, owner of the Anderson Corporations, told the press that he initially planned to marry his girlfriend, a Miss Aurora Brookes, this month but something private which he did not disclose to the media came up, and he had to push the date forward. He further stated that he proposed to his girlfriend on the phone and she accepted. He went on to say that he booked flight tickets for her and her mother to come to the country and prepare for the wedding but when they arrived, they were running a high temperature and had to be hospitalized.”

Dominica’s face filled with rage and her blood boiled as she gripped the remote tighter.

“Mister Liam further debunked the rumors saying that his fiancée and her mother had arrived with bruises on their bodies,” the reporter continued. “He ended the interview by inviting the press to the wedding, but gave no further details about when it would take place. We'll keep you updated as we learn more. And that's the morning news, brought to you by MBC Media. I remain Chelsea Green, and thanks for watching.”

Dominica rose to her feet in rage as she gritted her teeth and threw the remote at the TV screen.

"Liam, you cheater!" she yelled, cackling with laughter. She clapped her hands and continued to laugh maniacally, her eyes wild and her heart racing.

She stopped laughing and let out a scoff, a sly smile on her lips. “You there!” She yelled at a bodyguard standing in the corner of the room. “Call Ken and tell him to find me a husband this instance!”

….

Henry's jaw clenched as he glared at the morning news, still dressed in his pajamas. His fists were clenched at his sides.

"So, this is how you want to play, brother," he muttered to himself. "Game on!" His eyes were wild with rage, and a shiver ran through him. It was as if he had turned into a different person.

The game had begun, and there was no going back.

Henry snatched up his phone, his eyes never leaving the television screen. His thumb hovered over a familiar number, and then he pressed call. The phone rang in his ear, and he could hear it picking up at the other end.

As soon as the other end picked up, Henry uttered.

“Stacy, let's get married!”

The addressed shrieked out in excitement as the call came to an end abruptly, while he let out a sinister grin.

….

Austin sat calmly in front of the television, his eyes darting between the headline and the reporter. Dressed in a tailored suit and designer shoes, he looked every inch the successful businessman he was. But there was something unsettling about his expression, a coldness in his eyes as he watched the news unfold.

"Well played, brother!" he said, his voice soft and low. "It's good to see that the baby of the house is finally catching up. As your older brother, it's only fair that I give you a head start!" But there was something about the way he said it, a sinister edge to his words, that would make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

He seemed almost... pleased. "Now, the real game begins!" Austin's eyes glinted as he stood, a slow smile spreading across his face.

He exited the living room, heading for the door outside.

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28/08/2024

‼️ NEW AUDIO SERIES ALERT ‼️

SAVED BY MR. L (SIGNED EXCLUSIVELY TO POCKET FM)

CHAPTER ONE: ON A SACRED NIGHT

AURORA'S POINT OF VIEW

It happened again. He did it again. He hit her. He was on to me next. I had to make a run for it. I was tired of it all. I needed to find solace or else I knew the bruises would be deeper this time. He came back drunk again for the hundredth time. Banging the door, shouting “Let me in!”

How could I when I knew that he was going to beat the hell out of us if I did. The whole neighborhood was as silent as a graveyard. As it should be at 1:30a.m in the morning. It was a time of sleep for every being that crawled on the earth. Mere mortals had taken heed and unearthly beings roamed the night. How could I know if he hasn't been possessed by one of them?

He has always been so vulgar. No! He wasn't like that. The incident made him so. I do sympathize with him, but truth be told, we all suffered from it, so he wasn't any less different from us. He took his grief way too far. We got over ours quickly, but that didn't mean we didn't love her. It was only because we wanted her to move on too. We knew that if we didn't move on, she couldn't. We were her stuck point.

“Don't, mother! Don't do something that you will come to regret!” I said to my mother as I watched her about to open the door for my father. She was about to let him in!

“Not again! Not this night too! It's too sacred to be ruined with scars and bruises. Just let him stay outside, mother!” I warned her again.

She couldn't let him in and let him ruin the night for the both of us. It was his shouting that woke us up from our sleep. We proceeded down the stairs, our hearts filled with jitters and fear. It was evident to us that today's drinking was quite different from the normal routine. His voice carried a hint of sadness in them and as he crouched down on his knees crying, we knew that it came from a place of hurt.

Which is probably why my mother thought it was best to let him in, to console him, but I knew this beast better than anyone else. He wasn't deserving of a second chance, or any chance for that matter.

As my mother twisted the door k**b, I kept on waving my head in disagreement with her actions.

“No! No! No! Mother, please don't!” I muttered countless times, begging her to rethink her actions, but she gave me no heed.

“He will hit us and you know it! Just let him stay out there, mother! Don't do it, mom!” I persuaded her but she seemed not to budge.

“He is hurting. He is your father and remember that today is the day we lost her. Why don't we all grieve together? Why don't we console each other, together, as a family?” She said to me with a warm voice, eyes moist and face filled with concern and love for that deadbeat of a man outside.

Why doesn't she ever listen to me?

We are not a family anymore!

We cannot console him!

As soon as the door flung open, I took a step back, bracing myself up for what was about to happen next. And with the speed of light, he struck! Creating menace and chaos in the air!

He went after her, my mother, holding her hair tightly, causing her so much pain. Grabbing the weapon he could find close to him, he released strikes on her body with it, damaging her beautiful olive skin. I watched in horror as it took place. As she screamed in pain, begging profusely, he repeatedly hit her, dropping the weapon and using his fists while he cursed out.

“Stupid woman! You are such a fool! Why didn't you open the door earlier?! You left me out there in the dark, waiting! What if I was attacked and killed by an unknown person?! You will pay for it!” he said in his drunken state.

I would find it very satisfying if he was killed!

I watched on, unable to say or do anything. Unable to save my mother from the hands of my father, unable to move. I watched on as she kept screaming my name for help, begging me to save her.

“Aurora! Aurora, please do something! Aurora, please save me! Please do something, Aurora! Please!” She begged profusely as I saw her body fill up with bruises, blood slowly dripping out from some parts of the openings.

I watched as her face got punched, as her lips bled out, as her eyes swelled up, as her hair got dragged around, strands of it filled my father's hand. I watched as my father rained blows on her body, his hands covered in blood, as my mother guarded her stomach with both of her hands, sobbing profusely in pain. I watched as he dragged her around forcefully, hitting her head on the floor countless times.

I watched on with fear in my heart, knowing that this wasn't the end. This isn't over!

I stood frozen in place as my dad beat the hell out of my mother, as he cursed.

“You killed her! You deserve to die too! You worthless piece of trash!” He went on.

The scene displayed in front of me was not new. It has been ongoing for a long time. As I looked down at my body, I felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. The bruises that covered my skin seemed to have become permanent fixtures, a constant reminder of the abuse I had endured. It felt like this moment was a never-ending cycle, with no way out.

But then, everything suddenly went silent. The sounds of my mother's pleas and my father's punches faded away, leaving me in a strange, eerily quiet place. I felt as though I were floating, weightless and untethered like a ghost.

It was as if my mind went blank, shutting out the sounds of their voices. All I could see was the scene in front of me, playing out in muted silence. It was as if my thoughts had been frozen, unable to process the chaos all around me.

Suddenly, I found myself transported to another place, a place I recognized all too well. It was the day my father first started hitting us. But it was as if my body had been transported there, while my mind was still caught in the present moment. Maybe it was just my brain playing mind games with me in this dire moment. Everything around me was happening in silence, like a movie playing on mute. I felt numb, unable to process what was happening.

I stood frozen, reliving the events of that fateful night. The anniversary of her death. The dinner. My drunk father. The smile on my mother's face. The joyful atmosphere that turned sour so quickly. The news, the tears, and then… the violence. I watched it unfold before me like a silent movie, unable to look away from the tragedy that played out in front of me.

That's when it began, never stopping, and it seemed never ending, an endless cycle of pain and suffering.

Would we have been different if we had chosen a different path?

If we had made different choices, would we have turned out to be different people?

Would our personalities have been shaped differently by the experiences we have had?

Do our personalities get shaped differently by the experiences we have had?

If things had turned out differently, could we still have been happy? Would we have avoided the tragedies that befell us?

Would our story have been a happy ending if we were all still together? If she was still alive?

Would my father have turned out differently if circumstances had been different?

Or was he always like this and would have shown his true colors along the line even if the tragedy hadn't befallen us?

How did it come to this? How did I end up hiding my face from the world, ashamed of the scars that had marred my once-beautiful features? I felt like a monster, hidden behind a mask, unable to show my true self to anyone.

These questions and more swirl endlessly in my mind, but no matter how much I ponder them, I can't seem to find any answers. All the love and happiness I had known in my family now feels like a distant memory, faded and blurred by the years of pain and suffering that followed. What was once joyful and loving now seems like a fantasy, a dream I can barely recall.

In an instant, I was transported back to the times of the abuse, reliving each moment as if it were happening again. It was as if my mind had processed everything that had happened, and now I was ready to face the memories head-on. I was no longer running from them, but rather taking the time to process and make sense of it all. I guess now was a good time to go down memory lane for my mind.

And just like that, I was suddenly brought back to the present moment. And like magic, the muted scene happening right in front of me suddenly had volume and I could hear the voices speaking. It all came at once, like a wave of water, washing over my ears.

Before my eyes, I saw my mother about to lose consciousness, her eyes almost closing.

No! Not again! This can't happen again! The last time it did, we almost lost her! I can't let it happen again. I can't lose another significant person in my life! Not after her!

With newfound courage coursing through my veins, I headed straight for my father to put an end to his brutal treatment.

“Get off her! Stop hurting her! That's enough!” I said as I tried to push my father away from her, but his masculine figure was a hindrance to my act as he flung me into a corner with his hands.

I felt my resolve slipping away, but I had to try one more time. “Get away from her! You are going to kill her! Stop it!” I cried at him, tears streaming down my cheeks.

My father took a pause from my mother only to push me forcefully, flinging my body to the closed entrance door, hitting my back hard.

“Get lost!” He said as I flew through the air.

I fell flat to the ground, my head hitting the weapon he used on my mother lying around on the floor. I placed a hand on the right side of my head and the wet liquid I felt was confirmation that I was bleeding on the head.

I tried to stand back up, but I couldn't. I fell back down. The push was forceful, causing me severe weakness.

My visions started to become blurry and I felt a pang of pain in my head. My eyes began to close slowly, I was about to lose consciousness, but I could still see as my father beat the hell out of my passed out mother.

I struggled to keep my eyes open, fighting to stand up, when I saw my father pause his assault on my mother. A look of satisfaction crossed his face as he heaved a sigh. He turned towards me, and with his bloody hands, he began to approach me, picking up the weapon that lay in front of me, his face filled with pleasure at what he was about to do.

"It's your turn now," he said as I felt myself slipping into unconsciousness.

I knew deep down, even as I faded into blackness, that it wasn't a hindrance to him. It would not stop him from hitting me!

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