Page 128 of His to Own

It’s then I realize what I did. I just hit my father. The side of his head is bleeding but he’s still alive. He’s on the floor, glaring up at me.

“If you’re going to do it,” he growls, “then do it.”

I could finish the job. Kill him the same way as Maxim killed his own father. But my father doesn’t deserve death. He deserves to feel ashamed for how he treated me.

I drop the bookend to the ground and walk out of the house.

I can’t see as I drive. My vision is too blurry. My anger and pain is too much. I swerve the car to the side of the road and get out before I vomit.

“Elena?”

Alisa’s voice. I stand up with a gasp. She’s on the sidewalk with shopping bags in her hands. It’s then I realize that I’m in the city center surrounded by stores.

“You don’t look so good,” she comments.

“I told you to leave me alone.”

“I did but then I saw you… vomit. I was intrigued. Why are you sick?” Her eyes widen. “You’re not pregnant, are you? Did you finally let Maxim fuck you? It’s enjoyable, isn’t it? You can see why so many women love it. But that’s the problem with Maxim. A lot of women love him and he loves them in return. He’ll eventually cheat if he hasn’t already.”

“Shut up!” I scream. “Just shut up!”

Alisa flinches and her smile – one so cruel that I’m shocked I never noticed it before – curls across her face. “Now you’re speaking up. When I first met you, you were a shy little mouse. Good for you, Elena.”

“Just leave me alone.”

She looks me up and down with a sneer before turning away. I slump against my car as all the energy leaves me. Never have I felt so alone. I thought I had Maxim and then I pushed him away after he opened up to me about his parents. I know the man I’m married to. I never should have judged him.

There’s no way I can drive right now but I can’t call Maxim and admit to what I did to my father. Not right away. It’s too shameful.

I can feel my old self creeping back in and I hate it but it’s what I’m used to. It’s my safe place even if I know it isn’t safe for me at all.

I stumble into a nearby café and order a coffee and sit down at a table near the back. I just need a moment.

I bury my head in my hands. It’s why I don’t see her until I hear her. “Elena?”

For a moment, I think it’s Alisa returned to mock me some more but when I lift my head, I see that it’s Polina. Standing in the café. Holding a coffee cup in one hand and a book in the other.

“What do you want?” I ask.

She huffs. “I was just going to ask if you’re all right. I didn’t expect you to act like a bitch.”

“You’ve always treated me terribly, Polina. Why would I think anything different?”

She bites her lip and looks down at her book before sitting down across from me. “Because I don’t hate you, Elena.”

I blink. “What?”

“I’ve never hated you. I like that you’re my competition. You keep me on my toes. I thought we could be friends at one point but hating you was easier. Though, I could never quite get myself to hate you. You were always so… sad looking. It made me feel bad at times. You’re looking sad again. Why?”

“You actually care?”

She motions at the table. “I’m sitting here, aren’t I?”

I sigh and grip my coffee cup tighter. “I don’t have the nicest of parents. Something bad happened. I got into a fight with my father.”

“Is that…” She motions at her cheek. “Is that how you got that?”

My hand brushes my tender face. “Yes.”