Page 81 of Goldsin

Buttons from my mom’s blouse fly everywhere as the man rips it open. Her whimper rings in my ears.

I clench my jaw. I try—Itry—to do nothing like she wants me to.

I lower my gaze, but it’s pointless. Lucian grips my chin and forces it up. Forces me to witness my mom being degraded.

No. Lucian isn’t the one forcing me to do anything. It’sher. She forced me to when she begged me not to get involved, to do nothing.

“Look at her, Julian.” Lucian’s putrid breath slithers down my nape. “This is the price of your weakness.”

I feel my bones break, an ache pushing its way through my heart.

I want to push the man away from her. But I know if I do, she’ll be the one to suffer for it. Much as it kills me, if I do anything, she’ll be the one to die.

“Oh, grow some balls!” His hand falls to my groin, and he squeezes, his fingers tightening their grip on my chin.

Bile rises in my throat—not so much from his touch, but for how worthless it makes me feel to watch my mom being violated. To be nothing but a spectator to his vulgar display of power.

If only the bastard would find his pleasure someplace else. I’d give my body for hers to go untouched.

His laughter fills the room, accompanied by my mother’s grunts as she tries to wrench herself free, finally deciding to fight back. But he’s too strong for her. She’s using all her strength to get his hold off her hair while he unbuttons her pants with ease.

The action surges something within me, and I twist around, slamming my fist into Lucian’s face with all my force. The sound of his bones breaking temporarily soothes the wounds he carved into me.

I think all this is over.

How can I be panting? Why do I feel like I’ve exhausted all my energy with just one punch?

“Julian!” Mom screams at the top of her lungs, the word choking out of her.

Blood is trickling down Lucian’s nose when he looks back at me, the smug smile still frozen on his lips.

“That will cost her a lot, son.” He nods his chin to the guy, silently ordering him.

I fucked up.

A pit forms in my stomach as the man delivers a brutal punch to my mother’s beautiful face. The action mirrors the punch I left on the right side of Lucian’s face.

My vision blurs.

She falls to the ground, sobs wrenching from her dry lips, and I feel my body fall alongside her, heavy with the guilt I feel as it pulls on me.

I try to go to her—to comfort her, to hold her—but I can’t bring myself to move. I try to speak, but nothing comes out.

All I can do is stare as my whole body shakes. And shakes. And shakes.

I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

The words remain trapped, unheard by her—by anyone but me.

Then hands grab my shoulders, and I’m pulled back to my feet. Salt coats my lips.

“Why the fuck are you so soft for her?” Lucian questions. His brow furrows as he studies me. “Is it because you want to fuck her?”

His question shrouds my vision as a hollowness rips apart my insides.

He can’t be serious. This can’t be happening.

He shakes me hard. “Answer me!”

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