Page 114 of Downfall

He smirks. “Oh Rose. Did you really think it would be that easy?”

For a second it’s like the words don’t register. My stomach drops. “What?”

“Did you really think I’d just hand her over? Hand over the very thing that keeps you where I want you?”

I swallow putting my hands on the desk in front of me as I get right in his face. “We had an agreement.”

“Did we?” He says smirking even more. “Maybe you should have made sure of that before you fucked Roman Montague. Again.”

“You promised me…”

“I promised nothing you filthy little whore. All I had to do was suggest it and you were practically salivating at the mouth. How long did it take huh? How fast did you drive to get to him, to beg for his cock?”

“Give her to me or I swear to god…” I begin.

“You’ll what Rose? Huh?” He says standing up. “What will you do?”

My hand slips into my pocket, grasping the gun that I know I shouldn’t have brought with me but in this moment that’s all I can think of because I’d happily blast his fucking face off.

“…It’s about time you realised where you stand in this family.” He continues. “You are nothing but an instrument to be used and the more you fight, the more you resist, the worse it will be for you.”

“Not anymore.” I snarl pulling it out, cocking it, and pointing it right at his god damn face.

He laughs. He laughs right back at me. “Oh please.” He says. “You’re going to shoot me now is that it?”

“GIVE ME MY DAUGHTER.” I scream, pulling the trigger, pointing just past his shoulder and the bullet blasts out hitting the wall.

He jumps back, no doubt shocked that I did it. That his weak, easy to manipulate daughter finally made a stand.

“I won’t repeat myself again.” I snap.

From behind me someone grabs me, jerking me back. The gun is wrenched from my hand but not before I manage to fire it again. I lash out screaming more. Fighting like some deranged animal.

“Stupid bitch.” Carter says as he gets me in a head lock so tight I think he might just snap my head.

“Where did you get this from?” Sampson asks.

I screw my face up, fixing my gaze on my father.

“Toss her out.” He spits.

“Please.” I cry. “Please give her to me.”

He doesn’t even blink, doesn’t even react, just watches as I’m dragged out and thrown onto the drive like trash.

And as I lay there, my palms cut from the stones, I realise the enormity of what I’ve done. What I’ve thrown away and for what? I thought this was my chance, my redemption, but it’s not is it? He played me again. His own daughter. He was never going to let me see her. Never going to let me near her.

Everything I’m trying to save her from, I’ve just condemned her to instead.

My stomach twists. That awful grief rises up worse than ever.

I force myself up, force myself to move.

A voice in my head keeps telling me over and over to go to Roman. To tell him. To confess it all.

Only I can’t.

I know I can’t.

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