Chapter 9

Mel's POV

That was the last conversation I had with my mom where she was actually fully mentally present for. I think after that day, Dad started abusing her because she couldn't give him a male heir.

"Maybe if you weren't such a shitty father, you would have been there to name her, but since you weren't, it was a special name that me and Mom picked out."

He glares at me with dangerously black eyes. "Melanie, this is the second time today that you've disrespected me. I won't tolerate this any longer!"

He stands up and stalks towards me. My heart begins thudding in my chest, but I can't force myself to move.

As he raises his hand to hit me, Mom jumps in the way. "Damon, don't-" she screams. The force of his slap is so hard that she falls to the ground.

"Mom!" I crouch down to check on her. There's a huge, red handprint on her face, and her eyes are filled with shock and shame.

"You're a monster!" I scream, looking up at him with hatred burning in my eyes.

Dad’s expression hardens, his e