Chapter 2

2

I wiped the blood from my face and stood up.

"He cut himself," I said flatly. "It had nothing to do with me."

My father's temper flared again. He thought I was being defiant and slandering his precious Caden.

He lunged forward to strike me again.

But I wasn't going to stand there and take it this time.

I dodged. He didn't expect me to move, and his hand slammed into the wooden shelf behind me.

He let out a hiss of pain.

That blow would have knocked the wind out of me. It showed just how much strength he was using.

I wasn't his son to him. I was an enemy.

Sienna shrieked from the doorway, "How dare you move! You're out of control! Do you think you're above the rules of this house? You have zero respect!"

My father looked like he wanted to strangle me. "You're a curse! If I knew you'd turn out like this, I never would have brought you back! You're a massive disappointment!"

Disappointed in me?

I laughed internally, remembering everything I did for them in my past life. I had been so desperate to please them.

I used to think it was all just a big misunderstanding. I thought time would fix everything.

It took a knife to the heart to realize that their love was a closed door. It was locked for me and wide open for Caden.

I wouldn't let that tragedy repeat itself.

My parents yelled a few more insults, calling me an ungrateful brat. Then, they ignored me and fussed over Caden.

"Don't cry, Caden," my mom whispered. "Don't you want to go to Disney World this weekend? We'll take you."

Caden looked up with teary eyes. "What about Jaxon? If we don't take him, will he get mad? What if he stabs me again?"

My father whipped his head around to glare at me. "Don't worry. If he touches you again, I'll break his hands."

"Besides, a kid like him can rot for all I care. You're too kind, Caden. He's not worth your worry."

Then he pointed a finger at me.

"No dinner for you tonight. Stay in here and think about what you've done!"

They walked out, a happy little family.

Later that night, I could hear their laughter echoing from the living room. It was like they were intentionally trying to trigger me.

But I wasn't a child anymore. I didn't care.

I knew I would leave this house eventually.

My only goal was to live better and become more successful than I ever was before.

I wasn't just doing it for revenge. I was doing it for my own future.