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GK65%
I remember exactly where I’d left my phone: on my desk, where I’d made the call to 911 as soon as I entered my room.
At the time, I was just worried they’d block the door and stop me from leaving. I never imagined they’d take things so far–that they’d lose every last shred of humanity.
My dad, so used to being the tyrant of the house, didn’t even flinch when the police stormed in. Instead, he barked at them, his voice full of arrogance:
“Who the hell do you think you are, barging in like this? Don’t you people know the law?”
The officer in charge didn’t hesitate. “Release the person on the ground! Hands on your head, now!”
But my dad wasn’t about to back down. He puffed out his chest and took a step toward the officer. “I’m not done talking to you—”
Before he could finish, the officers moved in, pinning him to the ground in a matter of seconds.
The rest of the team quickly restrained everyone else, Including Mr. Randall, who was lounging drunkenly on the couch like he owned the place.
Even as they were being cuffed, my brother still had the audacity to glare at me. “You called the cops? You’re really gonna do this to your own family?”
“Shut your mouth,” one of the officers snapped.
“She’s my sister!” my brother insisted, his voice growing desperate. “This is just family dispute! The police don’t get involved in private family matters, right?”
The sheer stupidity of his argument was laughable. I didn’t even feel angry–just tired. It was almost pitiful how he thought he could wave it all away with some flimsy excuse about “family.”
The officers ignored him completely. One of them twisted his arm behind his back and said coldly, “You can explain yourself at the station.”
23.08 Fri, Jan 10
That night, I was taken to the hospital for treatment, while they were hauled off to the local precinct.
Because of the circumstances–and the fact that my nephew was still a minor–my mom
was released on bail.
The next day, I went back to the house to grab the rest of my things.
The sound of pots and pans clinking in the kitchen greeted me as I walked in. My mom must’ve heard the door because she came rushing out, holding a spatula.
“Emily, you’re back!” she said, her voice overly bright, as if nothing had happened.
I didn’t respond. I headed straight to my room
A few minutes later, she appeared at the doorway, wringing her hands nervously. “Are you staying for lunch? I made a lot of food… It’s just me here now…”
“I’m not staying.”
“Oh… then-”
“If you have something to say, just spit it out,” I snapped, not bothering to look at her.
She hesitated, then finally said, “I heard… I heard that if the victim forgives them, it can
reduce their sentence.”
I laughed dryly, tossing the clothes I was folding back into my suitcase. Standing up, L
turned to face her.
“Do you remember how badly they beat me that night?” I asked, my voice calm but sharp.
“Do you know what would’ve happened if I hadn’t called the police in time?”
“I know, I know,” she stammered, her voice trembling. “We were wrong. It was all our fault. But your nephew… he’s still so young. If his parents go to prison-”
“Why are you like this?” I snapped, cutting her off. Tears welled up in my eyes, but this time, they weren’t from sadness–they were from anger.
“You forgave Dad every single time he beat you half to death. You let him take every penny of your paycheck, even your retirement money, and you didn’t say a word when you were left starving with nothing to eat.”
“You spent your whole life as this family’s maid, and now you want me to follow in your
footsteps? To be just as ‘kind‘ as you?”
I took a shaky breath, my voice breaking as I continued. “I’ve spent my whole life protecting you. I snuck you money during the holidays. I dreamed of the day when I’d earn enough to take you away from all this.”
“And what did you do?” I choked, tears streaming down my face. “You drugged me. You
helped them trap me like an animal. You betrayed me.”
“I used to think your life was miserable because you married Dad,” I said, my voice trembling with fury. “But I was wrong. Even if you’d married someone else, you’d still have
ended up like this. Because you refuse to fight back. Because you love the people who destroy you.”
My words hit her like a slap. Her face twisted with anger and despair, and she let out a scream, a raw, guttural sound that echoed through the house.
She collapsed against the wall, sliding to the floor as if all the strength had been drained from her. She began muttering something under her breath, but I didn’t care enough to
listen.
I’d used up every ounce of love I had for her. Whatever bond we’d had as mother and daughter had been shattered the moment she handed me that drugged glass of water.
I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door. As I picked it up, a keyring slipped out of my pocket and clattered to the floor. I didn’t bother picking it up.
I walked out of the house where I’d spent my entire childhood and didn’t look back.
That afternoon, I went to the police station.
My dad, my brother, and Amanda were still under the delusion that I’d forgive them. They looked confident, even smug, as if they’d already won.
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That confidence shattered the moment I handed the officers my medical report and formally demanded compensation for my injuries and emotional trauma.
“You ungrateful brat!” my dad roared, his face red with rage. “I should’ve killed you before you were even born!”
My brother and Amanda looked panicked.
“Emily, please,” my brother begged. “We’re family. I swear, as soon as I get out, I’ll apologize properly. I’ll make it right-”
“Fine,” I interrupted. “I forgive you.”
The three of them froze, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Their synchronized expressions were so absurd it was almost funny.
“You really should’ve read more growing up,” said, wiping a tear from my eye. “This is a criminal case. My forgiveness doesn’t mean a damn thing. The judge will decide your
sentences.”
I leaned in, lowering my voice so only they could hear. “Three to ten years, huh? I’ll make sure my lawyer asks for the maximum.”
“And don’t rush to get out. Who knows? Maybe Ryan will join you in there soon. After all, like father, like son, right?”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out.
A few minutes later, I heard their screams echoing through the station. Even from outside, their desperate wails were faintly audible.
I felt nothing.
They’d made their bed. Now they could lie in it.
A few months later, the court delivered its verdict. Justice was served.
23:00 Fri, Jan 10 GU
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apologize properly. I’ll make it right-”
“Fine,” I interrupted. “I forgive you.”
The three of them froze, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief.
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I couldn’t help but laugh. Their synchronized expressions were so absurd it was almost
funny.
“You really should’ve read more growing up,” said, wiping a tear from my eye. “This is a criminal case. My forgiveness doesn’t mean a damn thing. The judge will decide your
sentences.”
I leaned in, lowering my voice so only they could hear. “Three to ten years, huh? I’ll make sure my lawyer asks for the maximum.”
“And don’t rush to get out. Who knows? Maybe Ryan will join you in there soon. After all, like father, like son, right?”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out.
A few minutes later, I heard their screams echoing through the station. Even from outside, their desperate wails were faintly audible.
I felt nothing.
They’d made their bed. Now they could lie in it.
A few months later, the court delivered its verdict. Justice was served.
As for my mom?
I heard she now wanders the neighborhood, disheveled and clutching a glass of water. Every time she sees a young girl, she asks:
“Will you drink this?”
