"Eli!" she snapped, standing up immediately. "Don't lie like that in front of your father!"
Lie?
For a second, I just looked at her. Like I didn't understand the language anymore.
Kane leaned back in his chair, watching with that same mocking grin.
I looked back at dad. "Dad, I've been paying my tuition, and also feeding myself."
His brows pulled together. "What do you mean?"
"I haven't received anything," I said, shaking my head. "I've been working multiple jobs just to pay to survive."
His expression didn't soften. "And what exactly is this course?" he continued, ignoring that. "Sculpture? What kind of future does that have?"
Something in me snapped. Then I let out a small, disbelieving laugh.
"And why do you suddenly have a problem with that?" I raises a brow. "You didn't even know when I got into college. Now you want to question what I study?"
"Eli!" she snapped. "Watch your tone!"
"I'm just…"
"This is exactly what I've been telling you," she cut in, turning to him instantly, softening her voice. "He's been rude lately. To me. To everyone."
I stared at her.
What?
My grip tightened around my fork.
Rude? It didn't even sound right.
"I've been rude?" I shot back, standing up immediately. "You're the one lying!"
Her eyes widened slightly. "Can you listen to your son?"
"No!" I cut in, my chest started heaving. "You lied that you cleaned this house. I'm the one who does it. Every single day!"
My hands trembled. But I didn't stop.
"And you made me sleep on the floor," my voice cracked. "For a year. A blanket on the floor in that cramped room. I wake up every morning in pain…"
The room went still.
Dad's face hardened. "How dare you, Eli."
I turned to him slowly.
"Your stepmother has been taking care of you for years," he continued. "And this is how you repay her? With lies and disrespect?"
My chest tightened painfully.
"I'm so disappointed in you," he added.
Then…
"And I'm sure your mother would be too."
"No!" The word came out instantly.
I looked from her to him, trying to understand how the conversation had twisted so fast.
How I'd gone from explaining… to being the problem.
My hands tightened beside me. "Don't drag my mother into this. I've been quiet for too long."
His eyes widened.
Kane let out a soft gasp…fake as hell.
My gaze flicked to him.
He dropped his head slightly, like he was shocked.
My voice shook, but I didn't stop. "And when last did you visit her?" I asked, glaring at him. "When last did you go to her resting place?"
His expression darkened instantly. "Watch your tone," he snapped. "Drop these useless accusations. Or else."
I let out a hollow laugh. "Or else what, Dad?"
His jaw tightened. "First," he said coldly, "I hear you've been stealing from rich men. Seducing them for money. Tell me….is that how low you've fallen?"
The words didn't feel real.
I blinked, trying to find my voice. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Your stepmother showed me everything," he continued. "You pretending to work, sneaking around, pocketing money." He leaned close, shaking his head. "I didn't think you were capable of something this filthy."
I felt my vision blur. My head shook slowly. "No, that's not…" My voice broke.
"So you're lying again?" he cut in harshly.
My head turned slowly toward her.
She was already tearing up. Playing her part perfectly. "I tried to train him," she said softly, her voice started trembling. "But he just keeps getting worse…"
Tears blurred my vision before I could stop them.
"So… you're believing herlies?" I turned back to dad, raising my trembling fingers. "You're believing thiswoman over your own son?"
My dad didn't hesitate.
His hand came fast, and he slapped me.