CHAPTER 22

Tears streamed down my face as I stared at my father, the spite in his gaze was inevitable.

"I told you you can't leave," he said stoically, "why do you always disobey me, you beat?"

I shook my head, refusing the utter the weak words of apology he wanted to get out of me.

"Leave her alone, Pete," Derek's voice diverted his attention and he bowed, before walking out of the hall in stomps.

Derek left his seat to mine, "come with me, Ellen," he opened his palm, waiting for me to accept it.

I stared from the palm to his face. Already sensing the repercussion if I disobeyed, I placed my palm on his and allowed him to help me up from my seat and lead me out of the hall. The feel of his skin on mine resurrected bitter memories in my head, not a single one was fun or promising.

The fact that he murdered the one person who truly cared about me, toppled the list. Natalie would definitely have done everything within her power to lighten my mood even though she couldn't save me.

She would ha