When I entered the dining room, everyone was seated waiting for me, except Daniel and his wife. That was a little consolation. At least, two less people to witness my degradation.
Mum's eyes were hard and her nose was flaring. Dad, on the other hand, as usual, had his face behind a newspaper. Sophia and her Dad were seated together while Riley, whose spot was always right beside mine since we were young, was seated too. They all looked at me and quickly averted their eyes after a brief shock flashed across their eyes. Except for Mum. I heard a soft gasp escape from her lips. She took a quick glance at Riley who quickly lowered his head. She then swallowed and tapped Dad while I sank into my chair.
"Why did you… stand up Caitlin!" Dad yelled.
I quickly got out of my seat and looked him in the eye.
He stood up and approached me.
"What happened? Who did this to you?" He groaned as he got closer and examined the bruises.
"Mum slapped me last night. And later Riley tried to force himself on me, bruising my wrists. Then this morning, he choked me." I ran off, imbuing my voice with as much self-pity as I could. The game had started.
Dad turned around to look at Mum who had gotten out of her seat and moved closer too.
"Is this true?" He asked in a strained voice.
"She was disrespectful to me."She shrugged.
"And the others?, Riley!" He yelled and the boy jumped out of his chair.
"Mum told him last night to handle me properly. I guess this was what she meant." I sneered sarcastically.
"Helena! Did you …" His voice was so soft, low and scary.
"I only asked him to scare her a little so she would mellow down and stop throwing tantrums. I can't believe he would…"
"Pah!"
" Shut the Fuck up you shameless slut!" Dad yelled after slapping her on the face. She screamed and fell down with less grace than I had last night.
Uncle Ron who was still seated tried to hurry over to her but Dad stared him down and he returned to his seat. Sophia stood up at the shocking sound of that slap and started shivering. Riley was already on his feet and he was very fidgety.
I was so shocked that I screamed at Dad, yelling his name.
There was complete silence for a beat. During that silence, I gathered myself and smirked at Mum at her lowest ever. The shock and indignation on her face was so soothing and watching her struggle like that made my smirk grow wider. But so was my shock. I was caught in-between laughing and gasping. I never expected this but it felt so good. Good and scary.
After smirking at her, I looked up and caught Dad's eyes, he glared at me and I instantly wiped the smirk off my face.
Mum stood up and raised her hands at Dad.
"How dare you lay your filthy hands on me!' she screamed at him.
But before she could touch him, he caught her hands and dragged her in, wrapping the other hand around her waist so that they were standing chest to chest like they wanted to kiss. Mum's face was redder than mine and her eyes were teary. She was doing everything not to break down in front of so many people.
"Despite all the troubles you have brought me, have I ever raised my hands on you?" He asked, staring into her eyes with anger.
"Let me go!" She yelled, not yielding.
He suddenly pushed her away and she struggled to keep her balance but Riley quickly caught her. Once she was okay, she turned to him and slapped him hard on the face, shocking me. Never knew she could care that much.
"I said you should scare her. How dare you hit my child? Do you want to die?!" She screamed at him.
He went on his knees and started begging…'' I am sorry ma'am. I didn't mean to hurt her. It just got out of hand. It will never happen again."
"It better not!" She kicked him away and faced Dad.
"We had an agreement. Whatever happens between me and her is none of your business."
"Yeah, we did. And it was the most stupid contract I have ever signed in my life. But nothing in that contract gives you the right to subject my child to any sort of abuse. The next time something like this happens, I will show you what real abuse is." Dad sneered at her, making her take a step back but she quickly recovered.
"Whatever! This is none of your business and you will stay out of it." She threw at Dad then briskly left the room. I saw tears dropping from her face to her impeccable dress but I felt no pity. She deserved the slap and the harsh words.
Uncle Ron wanted to follow her but Dad shook his head and Uncle Liam stepped forward, blocking him. Uncle Ron got the message and stood still.
"Daniel, I understand that Helena did something wrong but don't you think slapping her is too much? Also in front of the kids."
I was still waiting for Dad's response when I saw Uncle Liam love again, grabbing Riley.
"Liam, No! What are you doing?!" Uncle Ron shouted but Riley was already doubled up. Uncle Liam had kicked him in the gut. U clé Ron ran to his son but Uncle Liam kicked him away. He was too weak to fight back but still wanted to stand up to uncle Liam to protect Riley. Not able to take it, Sophia grabbed her father and tried to drag him away from Uncle Liam. "Sir please! I beg you stop hitting him. Dad, stop! Stop! Please!" She starts crying as she drags her father away ,cleaving Riley exposed.
For almost five minutes, we all stood there watching in horror as Uncle Liam beat up Riley until all he could do was gasp. At the end of it all, he still looked clean but pale. There was no blood or any signs that he was beaten except for his pale face but with the way he was sprawled on the floor, I was sure he had some broken ribs and that he was black and blue under his now rumpled and dirty shirt.
His face only escaped because Dad told Uncle Liam not to touch it.
"The next time you as much as pinch her, and she doesn't like it, I will kill you." Dad threatened, grabbed my hand and walked out of the room.
When we got to Dad's study, he told Uncle Liam to get the doctor and when Uncle Liam left, he sat in his seat looking older than I remembered and completely worn out.
"Dad?" I cautiously called out in a very low and soft voice.
He seemed to have forgotten me and gone somewhere in his mind. My voice must have shocked him awake because he jerked and looked up at me.
"Does it hurt anywhere else?" He asked.
"No Dad. I am fine."
"Sit down."
"Yes Dad." I settled into one of the two chairs facing his desk. But then he walked over to his window and stared at his view. He typed for some time on his phone then pocket it. There was complete silence until I started feeling sleepy. But then the door opened and Uncle Liam came in with a hired maid. They came bearing food.
Uncle Liam cleared Dad's desk and they arranged the dishes before leaving.
"Eat." I heard Dad say. We have to talk but eat first." He walked back to the desk, took his seat and started serving himself.
Knowing that until the meal was over, he wouldn't say another word, I also picked up an empty plate and started dishing it. Suddenly, I felt famished.