Chapter 38

Jaden

“Can’t you keep this place clean woman, if you want me to come back here? I expect it to look respectable,” dad’s voice booms almost as loud as his fist that he punches through the wall next to mum’s face. His green eyes gleam dangerously as I peek around the corner from my hiding spot at the bottom of the stairs. Mum whimpers her hands, cupping his shirt, trying to smooth the ruffled fabric and abate his temper.

I flinch, seeing him pull his fist out as plaster and wood splinter falling to the floor in a heap. Mum shakes her eyes, watching dad carefully, trying to say or do anything that might set him off. His nostrils flare, his jaw clicking as he takes a step back from her, looking at the mess as she quickly wipes her eyes before hiding her pain. “It’s difficult with a young boy Rich and if you were here more, it would make it easier…” she trails off far too late, realising her mistake as my stomach falls to the floor and out my body. It’s only a matter of time.

I can hear