Chapter 2 Katie POV

"I am not going to live with a stranger" I yelled at my father, "Why are you my father if you cannot support me?"

"Katie, you are over 18, and you owe me something; I've invested a lot of money in you."

"Spend money on me? I believe that, somewhere, I have a twin sister. Because, as you know, Dad, you didn't invest in me; you lost your business; we lost our home; our family; I paid my school fees; I worked my tail

off; I did different kinds of jobs; I couldn't wear designer clothes and shoes like others; and my mother left the house because she was sick of having to pay your stupid debt. Therefore, never claim to have invested in me because you did not". I yelled and began running erratically through the downpour.

Two Hours ago

"To make money, you want to use your daughter as a bet. If I win, she will follow me within 24 hours". While calmly speaking, the woman turned to face my father.

"She's my daughter, and therefore I get to treat her whatever I choose, right, Katie?" Dad questioned while grinning and staring at me.

I was mute. I sat and watched them deal cards over and over until I saw her win, and my dad lost everything-including the money and me.

After saying, "I'll be coming for her in 24 hours," she turned and walked away.

My dad yelled at me, "This is all your fault; you couldn't divert a woman; you are just so useless."

I just watched everything happen in front of my eyes while remaining motionless like a sculpture.

One of my dad's friends patted him on the shoulder and said, "She's rich, Carter, so it's for the best."

My dad answered, deep in contemplation, "Hmm... yes, I do believe it's for the best."

"No, Dad, I can't be dreaming; this has to be a joke, oh my God, no! No! No! I'm your only child, so please don't do this to me". One of his useless friends again interrupted me.

He grinned and added, "Calm your tilt, little witch, and be happy because your dad is doing you a favor."

Bye, dude, My father dragged me out of the casino by the arms and shouted, "Katie, let's go."

I told my Dad, "Leave me alone; listen carefully; I'm not getting going or following that woman." "You better look for a way to clear your bet," and then I set out on my walk.

I continued to walk without turning to face my father as he slowed down and said, "Katie, get in the car; it's pouring; I don't want you to catch a cold."

I didn't answer him as I continued walking.

After saying, "Ok, have fun in the rain, miss," he left.

I had to do it. I sobbed the entire way home in the downpour.

My dad was waiting for me in the living room when I got home.

My dad stated, while drinking, "Katie, I will be out in five hours to work on my deal with her, so you would only stay with her for a year and come back."

When I could no longer take it, I once more left the house.

I'm currently sobbing in the dirt, exhausted from crying, and my sole buddy is out of town. It's almost morning, so I need to get home before people start staring at me strangely.

"I'm glad to see you back." In a mocking tone, my father replied, "I thought you wouldn't come back here; I see you don't have anywhere to go." I ignored him and went to my room, took off my clothes, and slept in my bed.

"Katie..." The individual continued to stroke my hair as I heard a familiar voice yell, "Wake up!"

While extending, I said, "Mom." I had to rub my eyes because I couldn't believe it had been two years since I'd last seen her.

I understood my mother when she said, "Baby mummy is here. Furthermore, I am sorry I left you here, but you have to understand me" as she couldn't take me along with her everywhere because of Dad.

Likewise, I grinned as I hugged my mother tightly while inhaling her scent and said, "Mummy, I genuinely understand why you had to go, I am so happy you're back."

I was given a bear hug as she remarked, "I miss you so much, baby."

My mom pushed me towards the bathroom, saying, "Go and bathe; you stink; when you're done, come to the kitchen; you look so lean."

I smelled my armpits and remarked, "Ugh, Mom, I don't have body odor, and I was in the rain for hours, so the rain washed me."

My mother pushed me into the toilet and yelled, "Dirt, move, move, move."

"Fine..." I complained as I entered the restroom. Wishing we had a mirror or bathtub in my home like in Jeremy's, I pulled up my singlet over my head.

I carefully poured water from the bowl I had just retrieved while holding it over my head and letting it flow over my body. I dried myself after taking a shower, went into my room, put on a large torn-off shirt that I had stolen from Jeremy, a brief underwear set, and rubbed some deodorant before meeting my mother in the kitchen.

My mom was making my favorite pancake, strawberry, in the kitchen while I stood and watched. I miss my mom since the house seems so empty without her.

Mom remarked with a smile, showing her front gap teeth, "Why are you standing there watching me from there? Come over and help me out."

I sat down and said, "Mom, you

are back to do the cooking while I feed this drum in my body; it consumes a lot, you know."

My mother laughed as she remarked, "Yeah, I know you love food a lot. Stop blaming your stomach. I still wonder where all the food you eat goes." She used to whine about this when I was younger. I enjoy my body because it gives others the impression that I don't eat much.

Even though I miss Jeremy, my mother will always be my listing buddy, since we discussed various topics for hours while she prepared.

My mom was eating pancakes on the other side of the table from me, and I was just about to add more syrup when my dad entered the room.

As he began to eat his pancakes without syrup, my father said, "I see you both have a good relationship with each other, right?" He grinned widely.

I continued to eat, since I didn't feel like answering him or conversing with him. It's disgusting that my dad eats pancakes without syrup.

My dad added, grinning at me, "So Hun, I asked you to come around regarding a very sensitive and important issue. You see, this issue can make us millionaires in a year, but that's assuming the person involved is smart enough. But I'm sure my beautiful daughter is so smart".

Knowing full well that anything I say now is meaningless since this man I call a father won't hear me or pay attention to me, I choose not to respond to him.

Mother asked with confusion on her face, "Oh, so, make me understand."

"Okay, so yesterday I went to a meeting to get some money, you know, since I was a little short on cash, but during that, I gambled with my daughter and I lost. I feel so bad, but I have thought about it, and I think it's best for all of us," my dad said, looking at my mom's expression.

"Dad, I have said this before, and I will say it again Mom, tell Dad I am not staying with her. I didn't ask you to use me while you gamble" I remarked as I continued eating because I cannot forgo food in this world.

My mother was mute, and I believe that she was attempting to digest everything that was happening.

He looked directly at me and stated, "Katie, you have to go, and you will be leaving in 4 hours."

"Carter, you have gambled with everything we have, but not your daughter. Why on earth would you do such a thing when she is your child? Carter, I am leaving with my daughter tomorrow, and nothing you say will stop me. Baby, when you finish eating, pack a few of your things because we are leaving this heartless being" Mom yelled, already fuming with rage.

Nothing else was said. On my way to the kitchen, I was packing the dishes when I overheard my father speaking quietly and painfully for the first time in my life.

"Do you think I want this life for us? I know it's all my fault, do you think I am happy that my wife is providing for the family? You all just sit down and say anything without knowing what's going on in my life. Katie packs your things, you are leaving and that's final" .we were all quiet as we watched Dad leave for the Basement.

"Mom, I can't go. I would rather not stay with a stranger that I don't know she's going to treat me like I am not worth living. You know that Mom I can't stay with anybody, please Mom help me" I said on the verge of tears.

" Can I have the dishes?" Mom took the dishes from me and carried them to the kitchen, then returned them to me.

Look at me, darling. I understand how you feel. You know what we're about to do. "Go in there. Pack everything you need. We'll be out in a few. Be quick." Mom accompanied me to my room and started.

My mother gently rubbed my back and said, "Baby, you have to let go of now and pack your things."

I grabbed one of my suitcases and started packing my things. I was moving so quickly and shoving everything into the box that I missed the knock on the door.

As soon as I carried my suitcase into the living room, I noticed Dad chatting with the woman from the casino and two other guys standing by her sides. Both of them paused and turned to face me.

"I see you were already ready for me; let's go nice working you Carter, take the luggage, and let's move to the car." She said this to the men by her sides.

My mother emerged at that time, and I do not doubt that she was unaware of their presence.

Before she turned to gaze at them, my mom asked, "Baby, are you done packing?" "We have to leave; they'll be here any minute."

As tears streamed freely from my eyes, I whispered, "Mom, tell them I'm not going with them or this stranger."

She gently asked her father, "Ooh, I see, Mr. Humphrey, so you had plans of sending her away; you want to play with my intelligence," but we could all sense the malice in her eyes as she fixed them on me.

My father shook like a leaf being blown by the wind and replied, "No, I didn't know they had any sort of escape plan; I wouldn't allow them."

My mother snarled indignantly, "You're not taking my daughter away; we sit down here and talk about this; you wouldn't want me to involve the police in this," and she continued to fume.

" OK! Since I own the cops and Mr. Humphrey already signed an agreement. I don't have time to converse, go ahead and involve the police". She answered, staring while sitting with her legs crossed.

I yelled while still sobbing, "I'm not leaving with you, Mom. You can't let this happen. I don't want to go with her."

My dad drew nearer to me and added, "Katie, just a year, and you'll be back home, I promise you."

"Don't you dare touch me, you are not my father. A father would never use his daughter to gamble. Mom, please do something, tell her that I am not going with them."

She only murmured, "Take her to the car," as she got up and left the home for her car, carrying me like I weighed nothing. I continued to thrash, punch, shout, and weep, but my parents simply followed them silently without saying anything.

Mom could only utter the words "I love you, baby" as my father bowed his head in shame. I was then pushed into the car with the woman, who locked the door before the driver got in and began driving while I continued to bang on the window and yell.