Chapter 4

Our small, dilapidated house on the outskirts of lower New york, born around the flimsy neighborhood, wasn't much of a sight. But it was always something. I only describe it this way because this is how the magazines have always talked about us. We were not privileged, we were far from that. But we did what we did to survive. and rebuilt character in our own struggles.

One thing we always liked however was the sense of gossip. losing it towards each other's business. my father's roaring voice sounded through the compound. I could almost see Mrs Jason's nurse talking through the wall between us.

My eyes welled with tears as I faced my parents, well my foster parents, who wore expressions of disappointment that cut through me like shards of glass.

'Get Out!' My father's voice was loud and Mighty. 

He was always hi tempered. Barely taking note of the things he said or his quick decisions. His face concocted with rage as he looked at me. 'We've given you everything you could ever want in this life and this is how you choose to repair us. 

I stared back at him and my mother was flabbergasted and Confused. I wasn't aware of the things they talked about. as far as I know I have given back everything I've gotten 10 times over. I have worked for every brother they've taken under their roof. I've paid for the bills and have helped raise these children over the last 8 years. 

'Father, please.' I tried to beg, but I was met by his hash interrupting tone as he repeated for me to get out. My pleas fell on deaf ears as my mother stood there silently, with hard disapproval etched all over her face. all the years I had spent under their roof seem to trickle down like droplets of water. This was the longest I had stayed with the foster family. and had learnt to Cherish every moment of it despite the mistreatment and cruelty from the people I learnt to view as my parents. 

'I did not plan for this, I swear.' I sobbed with a trembling voice as I clutched my stomach, already hating my decisions. but there was nothing I could do and I needed to face this. I would have only hoped that while the person responsible for these had turned his back on me I could maybe depend and look up to my family. The life growing within me was a painful reminder of the pad I know how to face.

'We took you in when no one else could.' My mother's gaze was sharp on me as she stepped forward. ' This is how you repairs? I've always known you are nothing but Trouble. I have always known there was something wrong with you. something disgusting and unlovable.'

My heart was broken and my hands trembled as I looked at them. her words felt like daggers towards my soul. 

'Please, I will find a way to make things right. I will walk day and night if I need to. My commitment towards this baby will not deter my responsibility to my siblings or the financial needs of this house.' They both looked at each other for a short moment before turning to me. 

'Enough, we have had it with your excuses and lies. We trusted you and you have betrayed our trust. You are on your own now. I felt a shiver run down my spine as harsh reality settled in. I knew the meaning of those words. Every child under foster care dreaded those words. But I was 22. old enough to live on my own. 

I wasn't just fighting for myself. I was fighting for my siblings. Those children wouldn't stand a chance under the same roof with my parents alone. They were monsters and nothing short of that. I was fighting for my right to protect them. to give them comfort and a sense of safety. 

I wiped my tears as I began to gather my things in a small bag. 

My heart was heavy with grief as I stepped out into the daylight. My siblings were at school right now. I could imagine their faces when they came back home and realized I wasn't coming back. My life had fallen apart so quickly. Clutching the small bug under my armpit, I stared back at my parents, who were standing right at the entrance, as if blocking me if I tried to go back. 

I had nowhere to go. All the money that I made would always go to my siblings' education and my own. The remainder would help buy groceries and pay bills in the house. 

My foster parents said that that is how I had to earn my keep and I didn't mind. It was the first time I had had a family. 

As I walked away from the house, I couldn't help but feel jealous. Jealous and angry. Jackson had a life with ease. He had a responsibility here with this baby yet he just turned his back on me. Whether or not we barely knew each other, this was his blood. He had everything the world had to offer, yet just the responsibility of being a father was what he had chosen to ignore. 

I hated him. I hated him with all my heart. 

As I stepped out of the small gate, my neighbors cast a judgeful eye on me. I felt little, under their murmurs and scrutinizing gaze. 

Then, right there, parked across the street, leaning against his Porsche car as he stared at me, was the devil himself, Jackson Miller.