I Thought 'Home' Meant Warmth Nope, Just a Doghouse... Till I'm the HEIR, And It's novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Those words hit like a bomb in Dad’s head.

“Delusions…”

Body shook stared at Mom. Then turned, eyes wide, landing on me.

“No. I’m not sick.”

“That bastard’s yours. She’s YOUR daughter. Nothing to do with me…”

Mom’s face drained. Like she’d been struck. Staggered back. Collapsed. “You’re lying. I’m NOT sick!”

Shock. Confusion. Dread in Dad’s chest. Fists clenched. Nails dug into palms. Low roar.

‘So… she’s my biological daughter.”

She’s NOT our daughter! She’s a bastard! She’s FILTH!”

Dad’s face went hollow. Numb. Tears fell. Eyes red.

Stop. Please… stop…”

fom went pale. Wailed. Stumbled forward. Tried to cover Dad’s mouth.

Then-I screamed.

Dad snapped awake.

SERA!”

He yelled. Rushed over. Knelt beside me. Saw blood pouring from my nose and mouth. First time showing real fear.

Hospital. NOW!”

Jutside the ER, Dad held me tight. Ran like crazy.

Doctor, PLEASE save my daughter! She swallowed sleeping pills!”

irst time felt Dad’s warm arms. Safe.

o tired. I want to close my eyes.

[ time could stop here-dying wouldn’t be so bad.

ad… I just want to sleep. Just a bit.

utside the room, Dad’s eyes were empty. Hands shaking. Holding the report.

ver and over, he stared at the paternity test.

esult: Father-daughter relationship confirmed.

ight now, he wished I wasn’t his.

hen all the chains would vanish.

ootsteps echoed down the hall-fast, frantic.

Dad’s head snapped up. The second he saw who it was, his hands moved on instinct-crumpling the report, trying to shove it out of sight.

Is she?”

Mom panicked. Eyes red. Tears still there. Desperate look locked on Dad.

Dad shook his head. “You should-”

TELL ME!”

Mom grabbed Dad’s collar. Shonk him Voice breaking. “Is she our biological daughter or NOT?!”

Dad’s eyes went red again. Bitter. Defeated.

“Yeah. She’s ours.”

Mom froze. Last bit of hope-gone. Stared at Dad. Lost.

You’re joking. Trying to make me treat her better, right?”

You don’t have to. I just… won’t yell anymore. Won’t hit her…”

Mom forced a smile. Face going pale.

WAKE UP! She’s YOUR daughter! Jax’s SISTER!”

Dad grabbed Mom’s shoulders. Roared each word. “Her-last-name-is-IIUNT!”

Mom stared. Dazed. Then staggered back. Ran. Screaming.

No! I don’t have a daughter that filthy!”

‘She’s NOT mine! Send her away! Let her DIE!”

Dad’s heart stopped.

He bolted after her, legs pumping, but she was already halfway across the street-running straight into traffic.

And there it was. A semi-truck barreling toward her, headlights blazing.

Are you trying to DIE?! Come back!”

Dad’s eyes went wide. Watched Mom barely miss it.

Mom collapsed in the road. Eyes hidden-soaked with tears.

You’ve completely lost it!”

Dad’s face went ashen. His hand was raised-shaking-but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Couldn’t hit her.

Then just do it,” Mom whispered, voice breaking. “Hit me. Kill me.”

he closed her eyes, tears streaming down. “Send her away. I don’t want her to know… I’m her mother.”

Dad’s lips parted. Barely a sound. “You want her to spend the rest of her life in the dark?”

hat was it. Mom’s last thread of control snapped.

he let out this raw, guttural sob and started slapping herself-hard, over and over.

What have I DONE? I tortured my own daughter for eight years!”

I’m not even human…”

Dad felt like a blade carving straight through his chest. Sharp. Brutal.

He moved to pull her into his arms, but the butler got there first, stumbling forward, face lit up with frantic energy.

Miss! She’s awake!”