Chapter 5

"Yes Philip,  to what do I owe this visit? it's been a long since you came here to check up on us,  tell me what exactly has attracted you back to this family my brother's.  Oh, Wait I think I know,  you are happy that your sister has been sold like an animal and you will get some share of the money.  you behave like Barbarians!''  I speak out.

This time I did not expect my father to make such a rash decision. He attains all the speed by which he moved from his chair and advanced towards me. All I knew is that one moment, I was standing next to my brother and the next; I had been kicked in the stomach and thrown back against the floor. The stinging pain inside my ribs only seemed to fuel up my anger more.

" YOU DO NOT SPEAK ABOUT YOUR BLOOD IN SUCH A FOUL MANNER!''  he shouted,  looking down at me as the rest of the family did nothing but watch.  They watch with anticipation as though they're seriously praying that my father's anger comes down. Is this how the peace going to be achieved?

"THIS IS NOT BLOOD!'' I shout, struggling to get up as blood oozes from my mouth. The pain in the side of my stomach will not stop anytime soon, I had always tried to endure it, I had gotten used to it.

"Blood does not celebrate in the pain of others. Blood does not sell the other for wealth and materialistic things. Blood cares for a child. Blood still holds the bond that protects each other. This cannot be blood. You cannot speak as though we are related by Blood because everything you have done has made you an enemy of my prosperity and my future.'' Once again,  I am looking him in the eyes. I can see a lot of confusion in them.  He is wondering where his daughter went. Where the submissive and scared little Elizabeth is because this is not her.

I would have stayed down and taken that beating. I would have kneeled in front of him and apologized for feeling angry and broken at what they have done. but I chose the only way that I knew would be my Redemption. I chose to stand for myself now that I had already been thrown into the fire.

"Elizabeth, please stop this,'' Marcus calls out, his voice breaking as he urges me to stand down.

"It would seem to me that my daughter has grown horns. you have started to disrespect your father and gain the courage to look me in the eye.  tell me, daughter,  do I need to give you reminding the full extent of my anger in place of the discipline?''  my father asks in a threatening tone. I look back at my mother and I see her shaking with fear. She is begging me, her eyes are stained with fear.  She wants me to submit . She wants me to beg for mercy and forgiveness. That is the only way that my father's anger will die down. That is the only way that he will leave me in one piece, able to open my eyes the following morning and go back to class. But wasn't I tired of living that life? Was I not tired of having to wince at the pain every morning and remember what had happened the previous night? This was supposed to be family. As far as I can see it's only toxicity. ITS ONLY VIOLENCE. THIS IS LEAVING IN A CAGE WHEN I CAN COME OUT ANY SECOND!

I moved towards the table,  where the entire family is. It is still taboo to walk away from my father when he has not finished talking. This is how we were taught and I have no stand against it. What I however felt obliged to fight is his way of taking out his anger and frustration on his children. I have always heard that pain makes us a different person, that betrayal such as this one is going to make us adapt to new ways of survival.

"Kneel daughter, and seek forgiveness for your atrocities.'' My father calls out,  fist clenched as he struggles to keep his self-control.

" come, father,  come and beat me like you always do,''  I speak out. and again there is that tension and silence,  my mother is already crying and the way she looks at me begs me to just drop down on my knees and ask for his forgiveness. But for what?  Why would I need to ask forgiveness for feeling angry and broken by their betrayal?

It was now finally time to lay my cards on the table and fight back with that same weapon they themselves had put in my hands.

"What did you just say?'' Comes the shouting voice of my father, dominance and unmatched authority filled in that tone. I don't feel scared as I always do, I do not feel the need to break in front of him. I have found my stance, my power.

"Please don't do this. Please!'' Michael begs me.

My father is already standing before me, I do not know how many steps he took but they were minimal. His anger is evident. I have pushed his buttons and touched a soft spot.

I take a step forward,  making sure that my eyes meet his,  I want to make a statement; one that is going to leave him dumbfounded and completely helpless. if they were going to sell me to a millionaire just for money then I was going to use it as a weapon against them. I ignore back pain at the side of my stomach when I take that step,  the aftermath of that kick is still evident in my body and I am still trying to fight back.

" This is what is going to happen, father,''  I say,  more shock is evident on his face as he looks at me as though I am a completely different person. " you are going to make a choice,  if you put Your Hands On Me Again,  then this will be the end of a union that is supposed to bring your benefits. Tell me, Dad,  what do you think will happen when my future billionaire husband finds out that you have injured his wife? Do you think he is going to be interested in someone who will not look good enough for the wedding? if you try to hit me again,  I promise you NO wedding is going to happen!''