Chapter 2 - Dad Saw Everything
Dad stepped into the room without taking his eyes off the fire.
“What did she say?” he asked.
Veronica moved first.
“Richard, everyone is emotional. It was an accident.”
Madison looked at her.
That was the mistake.
Dad saw it.
“An accident?”
Madison folded her arms.
“I was cleaning out the closet.”
“With a charcoal basin?”
“She never wears it.”
Dad’s jaw tightened.
This was different.
This anger was quiet.
He walked to Madison.
She lifted her chin.
“Dad, seriously, it’s just—”
His hand came up.
One sharp slap.
The sound cracked through the room.
Madison froze.
So did I.
There was no blood, no mark beyond instant shock.
Dad looked shaken by what he had done, but he didn’t apologize.
Instead, his gaze dropped to the white Chanel handbag sitting on the bench beside Madison’s coat.
Brand new.
Three thousand dollars.
A birthday gift from Veronica.
He picked it up.
Madison’s face changed.
“Dad.”
He walked toward the basin.
“Dad, stop.”
Veronica rushed forward.
“Richard, don’t you dare.”
He held the bag over the coals.
Madison grabbed his sleeve.
“Please!”
Dad looked at her.
“It’s just a piece of leather.”
Then he dropped it.
The white bag hit the black coals and immediately caught along one edge.
Madison screamed.
Not in pain.
In disbelief.
“My bag!”
Veronica shoved past me and reached for the poker.
Dad blocked her.
“No.”
“What is wrong with you?”
He pointed toward the front door.
“Pack your things.”
Veronica stared at him.
“What?”
“Both of you.”
Madison’s mouth fell open.
“You can’t kick us out.”
“I can.”
“This is my home!”
Dad’s voice stayed low.
“Not tonight.”
Relief.
Horror.
Vindication.
Maybe all three.
Veronica’s face hardened.
“You’ll regret humiliating us like this.”
Dad didn’t blink.
“Try me.”
She grabbed Madison’s wrist and marched toward the hallway.
But before she reached the stairs, she turned back.
“You think this is about a dress?”
Dad’s expression changed.
Veronica smiled.
“You have no idea what Claire has been hiding from you.”
Then she walked away.
I looked at Dad.
May you like
He looked at me.
And suddenly the fire wasn’t the most dangerous thing in the room.
