Page 4 of Cup of Lies

“What the hell, Romy?”

I blink my eyes open, confused at my surroundings. It’s then I realize I’m in my closet, sitting with my back against the wall, shivering against some unseen chill. Once I shake away my daze, I crawl out of the spot and exit the closet.

Kaitlyn’s cries can be heard from my bathroom. Terror wells up inside of me as I stumble toward her.

Inside, I find her holding his hand as he gestures forcefully at his sink. His mess from this morning remains untouched. Seeing the shiny red curls dusting the porcelain makes me turn green. I clutch my throat and gag.

“W-what’s going on?” I choke out, acid burning my throat. I force myself to look at him rather than the disgusting sink. “Why is she crying?”

Seth’s nostrils flare. “Her mom checked the fuck out, didn’t bother making her lunch or cleaning the house, and hid in the damn closet. She’s crying from neglect, Romy.”

Guilt punches me in the chest. “I’m sorry. I must’ve fallen asleep. Kaitlyn, honey—”

He lets go of her hand to snatch his phone out of his pocket, frustration evident in his jerky movements. I kneel down in front of my daughter, hugging her to me, apologizing profusely as she cries. Then, as if someone switched her off, she goes silent.

I pull away and meet her teary eyes. They’re no longer scrunched. She stares at me with a placid expression.

“That’s better,” Seth grumbles. “If only you weren’t defective, things would be perfect.”

His words sting, but I’m more concerned with what he’s done to Kaitlyn. Alarm bells are ringing in my head, but I can’t make sense of it. All I know is he’s responsible for her change in behavior.

“What did you do?” I demand, tilting my head up to look at him. “What did you do to her, Seth?”

“Go to your room, Kaitlyn,” he says, voice devoid of emotion. “Close the door. Me and Mommy have to talk.”

“Okay, Daddy,” she says with disinterest.

And then she tugs away from me like a little robot.

The hairs on my arms stand on end.

It takes some effort, but I manage to climb back to my feet. Seth watches me with a sneer on his freckly face.

He repulses me.

Not because of the way he looks or his pube mess in the sink…

It’s him.

There’s something disgusting about him that I can’t put my finger on. I have the urge to wretch, but I don’t want to be at a disadvantage around him.

Because you’re afraid.

There’s a reason, Romy.

“Clean that shit up,” he says icily, thrusting a finger at the sink. “I work my ass off all day. The least you could do is make sure when I come home, the house is clean and dinner is on the table. You’re a spoiled brat who has no consideration for the rest of her family.”

I lift my chin, emboldened by a spike of indignation. “I’m not your maid. Clean it yourself.”

He takes a menacing step toward me and I can’t help but cower. Seth isn’t an especially big man, but the mystery that shrouds him is what terrifies me. There’s a monster lurking beneath the typical friendly doctor grin. An evil, hateful monster.

Rather than scurrying away, I meet his gaze with a fiery one of my own. Once he’s so close my belly brushes against his, he reaches up to grip my chin. His hold is firm, not brutal, but I recoil from it nonetheless. He tightens his hold, and I wonder if he’ll leave bruises here too.

I want to spit in his face.

Why?

“You will clean the sink and then make me some damn dinner,love.” He smirks. “Or else.”

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