Page 18 of Breaking All The Rules

Lucy was my baby sister, and I was more than a little overprotective of her. Not just because she was the baby of the family but because she had a prick for a husband, and she refused to accept that she deserved better. She had come to talk to me a few weeks ago, seeking legal advice after she caught him cheating on her.

“She and Lance had another fight.” She sighed heavily, and I knew she was going to give me all of the unnecessary details. Unfortunately, she was the middle child who thrived on drama and gossip. “Apparently, he’s been sleeping with his secretary at work, and from what I’ve heard, she’s a real—”

“Headline news it for me, Gab,” I interrupted. I didn’t care about who he was sleeping with. My only concern was that my little sister and nephew were okay. “Was the fight physical?”

Lucy had been married for five years, but I had been suspicious of Lance since the day I met him. Shortly after she found out she was pregnant, Lance started changing for the worse. He was constantly on edge and hard to be around while I watched the confidence slip right out of my sister the longer they stayed together. She was convinced that she could make things work so her son didn’t have to grow up without a father. I was convinced that Lance belonged six feet under.

“I’m not supposed to say,” Gabi muttered into the phone, stalling.

“You’re not doing her any favors by not telling me. I can’t help her if I don’t know what’s going on.”

“She came by Mom’s house this morning with Jackson. She asked if they could watch him for a few hours. Her lip was busted, and she had a black eye. She tried to hide it with makeup, but I could see it. Everyone could see it.”

I closed my eyes and forced out a slow, steady breath, praying that it would help calm me down. I barely had the energy to get off the couch, but this made my blood boil and gave me an adrenaline boost that I needed to take care of my family.

“Where did she go?” I asked as calmly as I could.

“She’s heading to my house. Mom called me and told me right after she left.”

“Okay. Once she gets there, I want you guys to come to my apartment so we can figure this out,” I said as I forced myself to stand up. I immediately felt dizzy and reached down to hold onto the couch.

“Are you sure you’re up for this? You sound pretty sick. I don’t want to intrude.”

“Gabi, stop acting like the middle child and get your ass over here. I’ll see you guys in a little bit.”

“Okay. We’ll head over as soon as she gets here.”

“And one more thing,” I said quickly before she could hang up. “Grab a box of bagels and some cream cheese. I’ll give you cash when you get here.”

“Did you burn your toast again?” She laughed hysterically on the other end as I rolled my eyes.

“Just bring the bagels,” I replied sarcastically before hanging up.

Half an hour later, I heard a knock on my door. I got up and slowly made my way to answer it, hoping I didn’t lose my balance again. While I was fever-free, I was also severely dehydrated and needed food to get my strength back.

My eyes immediately went to Lucy as she kept her head lowered and fidgeted with the long sleeves of her shirt. Her lip was swollen in the corner where a scab of dried blood had formed. A bruise ran along her cheek and under her eye, making my blood pressure rise as I thought about how hard he had to hit her to leave a mark like that on her.

My heart broke as I held my arms out for her. She stepped forward into my embrace, her body trembling as she cried against my shoulder. Gabi gave me a sad, sympathetic smile as she squeezed past us and set the box of bagels on the counter. I held Lucy for a few more minutes before I gently led her inside and closed the door.

“I’m sorry to intrude when you’re not feeling well,” Lucy apologized quietly, tucking a strand of black hair behind her ear. I caught a glimpse of a bruise along the side of her throat that had been covered by her hair and felt my blood start to boil.

“You don’teverapologize for being here,” I said sternly, looking her in the eyes.

“I am always your safe place.” I softened my tone and gently reached over to wipe the tear that was running down her face. “I got you, Lucy. You never have to worry about coming here, okay?”

She nodded and wiped the rest of the tears with the back of her hand. We headed for the couch, and I winced as I sat, my body still sore and achy from being so sick. I noticed the concern etched on their faces as they watched me.

“I’m fine,” I assured them as I fought to get comfortable. “I just need to sit down and rest for a few minutes.”

“Have you eaten today?” Lucy asked as she sat down in the chair across from me.

“She burned the toast,” Gabi volunteered for me as she grabbed the bagels and set them on the coffee table.

“That’s what I smelled when I walked in!” Lucy laughed, offering me the same sympathetic look that I had seen her give her four-year-old plenty of times.

“Very funny,” I replied, rolling my eyes as I accepted the bagel that Gabi handed to me, smothered with strawberry cream cheese.

“How are you feeling?” Lucy asked as she leaned forward to take the bagel that Gabi offered her.

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