Page 66 of A Girl, Unbroken
That Dad would shoot me?
He’s not your dad! Stop thinking of him that way!
But I couldn’t do it.
“Anytime now, Willa!” Dad still seemed to be standing right outside the door. “You’re sick and you need to be in bed! What the hell are you doing in there again?”
“I just wanted to use the computer,” I shouted.
“Get away from the door!”
He’ll kick it in or shoot the lock! He might already have a gun. “Wait, Dad. Wait! Please! I’ll open it!”
I held out the hand with the gun and unlocked the door with the other.
Dad stared at me, stunned. “Willa Rae, have you gone completely crazy? Put the Glock down immediately!”
I shook my head. “You killed Mom,” I said, my voice shaking. “You set the yacht on fire on purpose, I remember everything.”
Dad smiled, but it looked grotesque, like a grimace. “What nonsense are you talking about? I was trying to cook, kid.”
“Kid? I’m not a kid anymore. I’m not even your daughter. I know that, Dad.”
Dad’s fake smile faded. “So, you read that letter—I wasn’t certain.”
“That’s not the only reason I know. I overheard you and Mom on the yacht. I heard it from Mom’s mouth, I just forgot.” His eyes showed confusion as he tried to remember the argument with Mom. I nodded toward the hallway. “Let me pass!” Sweat gathered in my palm, making the barrel slippery.
“First, put the gun down. Then, we’ll talk about everything.”
“No! I don’t want to talk to you. I’m leaving now.”
Dad turned pale. “Isaac is out there waiting for you. And I think he’s done horrible things to you. Things they did to him in Rikers Island.”
“You…you know about it…” I stammered, dismayed. The gun almost slipped from my fingers. “You know what they did to him?”
“My eyes and ears are wherever I need them. Yes, I found out about it then, so after a while, I paid his bail.”
“After a while? He was in prison for over two years.”God and benefactor. “You’re a monster, Dad.” The gun trembled in my hand, but I took small steps forward, urging Dad toward the stairs.
He backed away, one hand on the gallery railing. “Isaac sent me photos of you, Willa, photos of you tied up in the most shameful way and wearing only a t-shirt.” He shook his head asif in shock and my cheeks began to glow. “He did a terrible thing to you. Let me make it up to you.”
Involuntarily, tears welled up in my eyes. “Make it up to me? How? How are you going to make it up to me?”And why didn’t you tell me right away that you knew all that?
Dad raised his hands in a placating gesture, standing still even though I pointed the gun at his chest. “I’m protecting you. I’m looking after you so that this doesn’t happen again. And now that you know that you’re not my biological daughter…it makes everything easier. There will be no secret between us anymore… You know, on your birthday…I was almost ready to tell you. But after you unwrapped Mom’s wedding ring, you seemed so shocked. I thought it would be better to wait a little longer.”
“You’re completely crazy,” I whispered, stunned by what he said. “You killed Mom! How can you think I’d stay with you?” It seemed to me as if he was a different person, as if he had transformed from Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde.
“Someone has to protect you, Willa Rae. From Isaac and the others.”
“Don’t mention his name to me again!” I gripped the gun tighter. “Isaac is dead. He’s not out there.”
“Willa, be reasonable! None of the guards will let you through. They’ll put a bullet in your leg first. Besides, Dr. Moore will be here shortly to make sure you get your medication.”
“My medication?” I echoed, confused.
“You’ve been in a mental institution in Denver for the past few months. At least, that’s what everyone believes.”
I wanted to pull the trigger now, but luckily, the magazine was empty. “Why…why didn’t you say I was at a college in Europe or somewhere else…”
