Chapter 4 Begging For Forgiveness.
Chapter 4 Begging For Forgiveness
Annabel ignored Victor, stepping forward and slapping Lillian hard on the other cheek, her hand stinging.
As Lillian reeled, Annabel bit her lip, her voice shaking with rage. “You said Dad deserves to die without a son to honor him. I was teaching you a lesson!
“Hitting you? I’d rather kill you for that!”
The slap hit hard–Lillian’s cheek swelled, red and puffy.
Tears streamed down Lillian’s face as she turned to Victor, confused. “Dad, I didn’t- Annabel’s lying! I never said that!”
Annabel’s eyes reddened with fury. “Why would I make that up? Swear on your life your didn’t say it–go on!”
Lillian had said it, so she hesitated. Her brief hesitation caught Victor’s eye, his gaze narrowing slightly.
“Lillian?” Victor asked, his voice low, doubt creeping in as he watched her.
Lillian burst into tears, shaking her head. “No, Dad, I swear I didn’t say that just now–if I did, I’ll rot in hell!”
Annabel smirked coldly–Lillian dodged the trap, but too late. Doubt was planted in Victor’s mind, even if he didn’t see it yet.
Victor bought Lillian’s oath, his anger turning back to Annabel. He grabbed a glass- framed painting from the table and threw it at her.
“Hitting Lillian’s bad enough, but lying to frame her? Who raised you to be this vicious?”
he roared.
The frame shattered, glass cutting Annabel’s foot, blood trickling fast.
She stayed silent, her gaze cold and steady, staring at Victor and Lillian, unflinching despite the pain.
Victor squirmed under her stare, his grief over his son fueling his rage.
He grabbed a chair, ready to throw it. “You little monster!” he bellowed, lifting it high.
Lillian, out of Victor’s sight, flashed Annabel a smug grin, her eyes gleaming with
triumph.
“Enough! You trying to kill her?” Walter barked, hobbling in with his cane, blocking Victor with a fierce glare.
Lillian’s face fell, but she kept her voice sweet. “Dad, don’t be mad–Annabel’s probably just upset from missing school lately!”
Chapter 4 Begging For Lorgiveness
She avoided last night’s mess, scared Walter might turn on her next.
“Quiet! This isn’t your place to speak!” Walter snapped at Lillian, making her flinch and tremble.
Walter’s eyes fell on Annabel–her cheek swollen from yesterday’s slap, blood seeping from her foot, barely spared from the chair.
His face twisted with frustration, raising his cane at Victor. “You don’t care about Annabel, but I do!”
Annabel spoke up, her voice calm, “Grandpa, Dad’s just hurting over losing the baby- that’s why he’s lashing out at me!”
“But Lillian… I don’t know why she’s here stirring up trouble between me and Dad. She should be at the hospital with Beatrice,” she said, her gaze icy, cutting at Lillian.
Lillian opened her mouth, but Walter cut in, his decision firm. “Both of you–apologize to Annabel!” he ordered, his eyes hard.
Victor’s face twisted–he hated the idea of groveling to Annabel.
But with Walter there, he didn’t dare disobey. “Annabel…” he muttered, his voice stiff, fading out.
Annabel jumped in, her voice soft, “Dad, it’s fine–I’m your daughter. Fathers don’t grovel to daughters!”
Victor exhaled, relieved, his gaze softening, pleased with Annabel’s “maturity.”
Walter didn’t push. He turned his stern eyes to Lillian. She was dragging her feet, avoiding his gaze.
Lillian wanted to apologize even less, but Annabel stayed silent, offering no help.
She cursed Walter’s bias in her head, but her voice was weak. “Annabel, I’m sorry.”
Annabel’s expression was all forgiveness, her tone lofty. “Don’t do it again. I’m letting it slide because I’m your sister. Other people would never be so generous.”
Lillian’s stomach twisted, her face sour, but she bowed her head. “Dad, Grandpa, I’m going upstairs to grab clothes for Mom.”
She started for the stairs, but her foot caught–maybe on glass, maybe her own. clumsy step.
“Ah!” Lillian yelped, crashing forward with a loud thud.
Glass shards on the floor stabbed her arms, chest, thighs–even her face got cut.
“Lillian!” Victor shouted, rushing to her, his face pale as he tried to lift her.
Lillian wailed, her cries sharp. “Dad, Annabel tripped me!”
Blood soaked her clothes, her scarred face and shrill voice making her look ghostly.
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Chapter 4 Begging For Forgiveness.
Victor’s eyes burned red as he glared at Annabel. “You’ve thrown the family in chaos. You killed Beatrice’s baby, and now you hurt Lillian–what else do you want?”
Annabel licked her lips, staying silent, her face blank.
Walter’s anger flared, nearly swinging his cane at Victor. “You fool–still throwing lies at Annabel? If you can’t stop, take Beatrice and get out of this house!”
Lillian, who joined the White family at ten for its wealth, froze–leave? No way she’d let that happen.
Victor didn’t know Lillian’s thoughts, but he was ready to defy Walter to defend her.
Before he could speak, Lillian tugged his sleeve, sobbing, “Dad, it was my fault–l slipped. The pain blurred my thoughts. And I blamed Annabel!”
“Lillian, don’t be scared. I’ve got this!” Victor said, his tone soft but his eyes doubtful, not fully buying her story.
Annabel’s gaze flickered, her face calm. “Dad, I was too far from Lillian–even if I wanted to trip her, my legs aren’t that long!”
“That’s it, Victor. Lillian just said it herself. You still want to blame Annabel?” Walter snapped, waving his sleeve.
He headed upstairs, pausing by Annabel. “Annabel, come with Grandpa. Your dad doesn’t care for you, but I do!”
Annabel’s throat tightened–Walter was her only true ally, last life and this one. She hurried after him, gently holding his arm to help him.
Lillian watched, her eyes burning with hate, glaring at Annabel’s back.
Her sobs kept flowing, hiding her venom. “Dad, it hurts–I’m in so much pain! Am I dying?”
Victor glanced at Annabel’s retreating figure, then turned to Lillian, soothing her. ” Lillian, it’ll be fine–I’m taking you to the hospital!”
“Dad, I can’t wait–I need the family doctor now!” Lillian wailed, clutching his arm.
“Alright, alright–I’m calling him!” Victor said, pulling out his phone.
ing every corner.
Lillian’s screams echoed through the villa, sharp and miserable,
Annabel sat quietly on a fancy couch in the study. Walter sat nearby, letting out another heavy sigh.
“Grandpa, if you’ve got something to say, just say it!” Annabel said, her clear eyes meeting his, hiding a mix of emotions.
Walter’s old eyes softened with pain. His hand gripped the cane. “Annabel, I know you tripped Lillian.”
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Chapter 4 Begging For Forgiveness
“I’m not blaming you,” Walter said, his tone gentle. “These years, I’ve seen how Beatrice and Lillian treat you. I know everything.”
Annabel’s heart sank. Seconds later, she muttered, “I’m sorry, Grandpa.”
“I don’t blame you. Go on now–and remember, no matter what happens, I’ve got your back,” Walter said, waving a tired hand, his face weary.
Annabel stood, a warm, genuine smile breaking through.
“Thank you, Grandpa!” she said, her voice soft with gratitude.
As the study door closed, Walter muttered to himself, “Annabel, I hope one day you. learn the truth..
“And can forgive this family, forgive us,” he whispered, his voice fading into the quiet
room.
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