Chapter 2

Leah's POV

When I tried to run back, a big guy in a suit yanked me back by the collar. I hammered at his arm with my fists. "Let go of me! Let me go! I wanna go back to Grandpa!"

The bodyguard didn't even flinch. He dragged me forward, making a raw, burning ache climb up my throat.

I was still fighting him when a voice snapped, "What the hell are you doing, Leah?"

I looked up and saw Dad's dark face. He strode over and grabbed a fistful of my hair. Pain shot across my scalp like he was about to rip it off. "Where's your mom? Why isn't she with you? Isn't she dying to be glued to me every second?

"You two are really something, huh? You even called your grandpa to complain about me. He tore into me and made me look like an idiot in front of everyone. I'm gonna teach you a lesson today!"

He raised his hand to hit me again, but Ms. Carlton stopped him. She pulled me behind her with a soft smile. "Oh, Joe. Why are you so worked up? She's just a child. She doesn't know any better. Why take it so seriously?

"Come on, it's my birthday today. It's supposed to be a happy day. Give me a smile, okay?" She touched Dad's face and pulled his lips into a smile. Then she placed his hand on her stomach. "This little one will definitely behave. Come on, sweetie. Give Daddy a kick and cheer him up."

Ms. Carlton always had a way of calming Dad down with just a few words. The tender smile that played on his lips made me feel like I was dreaming. He had never smiled at Mom and me like that.

I looked at Ms. Carlton's rounded belly. Once my little brother was born, Dad would probably become someone else's dad for good.

Someone called Dad's name from nearby. After he walked off, Ms. Carlton took my hand. "Come on. It's my birthday today. I'll treat you to some cake."

She led me to an enormous, elaborate cake with nine tiers. At the very top were little figurines of Ms. Carlton and Dad holding a child between them.

Dad had never bought me a birthday cake. He'd once told me that my birth wasn't something worth celebrating.

Ms. Carlton cut a slice and held it out to me. I hesitated and didn't reach for it.

"Take it, Leah. I'll be sad if you don't." She smiled at me.

I hadn't eaten anything all day and was starving. But before I could take the plate, she let go. The cake slipped and splattered over her shoes.

She let out a sharp scream. "My shoes!"

My heart jumped straight to my throat.

Dad came running at the noise. Ms. Carlton's eyes were red-rimmed as she said to him, "Joe, I wanted to give Leah a slice of cake, but she didn't hold the plate properly. She's still young, so I really didn't wanna make a fuss about it, but these shoes were a gift from you. I can't act like I'm not upset."

I waved my hands, my voice coming out hoarse. "It wasn't me—"

Before I could finish, Dad slapped me, seemingly putting all his strength into it. I staggered back several steps, my ears ringing.

"If you don't wanna be here, then get out! You're just as useless as your mother. You can't do a single thing right! And what are you backing away for? Get over here!"

He grabbed me by the hair and forced me to my knees. My knees scraped against the deck and immediately started bleeding.

"When you do something wrong, you have to accept punishment." He kept his hand on the back of my head and forced my face toward Ms. Carlton's shoes. "Lick them clean. Do you have any idea how much these shoes cost?"

Tears blurred my vision. The people around us all looked concerned, but not a single one dared to step in.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Dad. I'm sorry, Ms. Carlton. I'm sorry for causing trouble."

I struggled weakly. "I don't wanna do this. I know I was wrong."

Dad's furious voice rang in my ears. "You think an apology is enough? That's what you call knowing you're wrong? Lick those shoes clean tonight, or I'll divorce your mom when I get home and throw you both out on the street."

My tears fell onto the deck. Even though Mom was already dead, I still didn't want her and Dad to be divorced. Mom would be heartbroken.

I trembled all over as I lowered my head and licked the cream from the shoes. The frosting was supposed to be sweet, but all I could taste was bitterness. I never wanted to eat cake again.

I had no idea for how long this went on before Dad finally let go of me. He wiped his hands with a tissue, looking like he was disgusted that he'd touched me. "At least you know how to give in and admit you were wrong. That's one step up from your mother."

Ms. Carlton hooked her arm through his and said sweetly, "I heard you're your school's swimming champion, Leah. How about you give me a demonstration today? Do that, and we can forget this whole thing ever happened."