Broken Tears

Growing up wasn't easy for Lilith who was treated as a stranger in her parent's house, a place that was supposed to be a haven for her to turn into became hell for her.

From her father's constant beatings to his verbal abuse, He was fond of hurting her mother whenever she protested, She hated him for that and wished he will die but he didn't to her dismay.

Her mum got married at a young age to her father who hated her and wished she was never born, He kept calling her the source of his current predicament, She kept hearing him calling her a failure, Someone useless and his worse mistakes, She had gotten used to him verbally abusing her at all times

"Lilith, Don't do that please" her mother called out to her with tears streaming down her face.

"Mum, he hit you again why do you keep staying with him when he doesn't even care about you? Why do you keep wishing he will stop hitting you instead of doing something to stop him? Why mum?" Lilith knelt beside her mum who was crying.

"I was wrong, Lilith I provoked him, I am at fault this time".

"That is what you always say every time he got you, you keep saying you are wrong when you know you are not, When will you ever not be at fault? When will this stop?" Lilith shouted angrily

"Lilith, he has a reason he is doing all this believe me when I say I am at fault," her mother said with tears dripping down her face.

She hated seeing her like this, she was ready to do anything to wipe away her tears and make sure she doesn't shade tears ever in her life but she was powerless, She couldn't do anything because her mum will bear the punishment in her stead.

"What could she possibly do?" Nothing.

"Get up, mum". She tried pulling her mum up after wiping the tears from her eyes but she won't budge.

"I can't Lilith, I have cramps let's wait for a little while" her mom held her hands while smiling weakly at her.

"Mum, not again why don't we see a doctor, it is getting worse," Lilith said tensed

"We don't have that type of money love besides cramps has never killed anyone, "her mother said while smiling boldly at her.

"I have some saved up already from my part-time job" Lilith answered smiling

"Keep it then, I am strong and fine" her mum answered standing up and twirling around suddenly before her legs gave way and she landed with her butt back on the floor.

"Mum" Lilith shouted in shock

"Love, I am fine" her mum answered grunting in pain.

"This doesn't sound fine to me mum" Lilith answered scared.

Suddenly Lilith heard noises and turned to see her father walk in dressed in a tailored suit looking sharp and smart a deep contrast from hers and her mum's tattered-looking clothes.

Her father was well-off and had a bottling water company that was one of the best in their country.

"If it is not the stupid mother and daughter duo". he said while strolling in and staring at them, he hated how Lilith looked exactly like him and just a little like his wife.

" Don't tell me you are crippled already?" He asked starting at them wide-eyed.

"Dad, why did you do it?"

"Do what Lilith?" He answered feigning pretense.

"How could you hit mom again? Why did you do that? How could you be so cruel?"

"Lilith stop" her mother cautioned.

"No Lidia let your insolent daughter finish" her father added.

"Lilith apologize" her mum pleaded

"Lilith go on"

Lilith was confused she looked from her father to her mother and continued.

"You have to stop punishing my mother in my stead" Lilith answered angrily

"I think so too but she keeps saying she doesn't want a scar on your body so I had to make sure she get the scar on your stead" he answered nonchalantly

"Why are you being cruel?"

"I am not Lilith" he replied

"You don't care about me or mum I get that, you don't love seeing us either I get it, you will be better without us in your life I get it, but what I don't understand is why don't you divorce mom?"

"Garry, don't listen to what she is saying" Lidia pleaded.

"You want to know why?" Her dad asked to smirk

"She won't let me do it, Lilith, your mum still insist she loves me, how can she be so stupid to still love me after all I did to her I made sure she gets broken but she still insists she loves me who does that?"

"Mum loves you a lot, She just wants you to acknowledge her why can't you?"

"You don't know, right? She forced herself on me, he answered pointing a finger at her mother.

"She was just a fling, a one-time thing and she knew it but she refused to get rid of you when she got pregnant with you, My family insisted I get married to her even when they knew I was in love with someone else, your mother knew also but she kept pushing for a marriage between us with the petty excuse that she loves me and I will fall in love with her when I see you and when I saw you I hated you, I hated how you resembled me so much, I didn't fall in love with her either so she will have to bear with it or leave"

Lilith was shaken she knew he hated her but never to this extent.

"But it is not enough reason dad, you know that"

"It is to me so convince your mother to agree to the divorce terms or she will continue facing hell on Earth"

"Noooo I won't divorce you Garry I won't I still love you a lot don't you get it?"

"Get out of my face," Garry said walking past them to the stairs.

"Garry, please don't go," Lidia said getting up on her feet.

"Mum, stop it please" Lilith shouted and watched as her mum turned fully to face her

"Lilith, I love your father I can't divorce him" she pleaded

"You have to let go of someone who doesn't want you, he keeps hurting you still yet you love him, he doesn't even want you why do you keep loving someone like him when he isn't worth your time?"

"Lilith, you won't understand how much I love him you have never been in love before have you?"

"No mum I haven't and if this is what you call love I don't want to fall in love Mum, you are clearly in bondage this is not called love" Lilith tried to make her see reason with her and grab arms holding and shaking her.

"I won't leave Lilith no matter how much you try to talk me out of this marriage I won't leave and that is final"

"I see you have made your decision that is good mum".

"Yes, I have made mine and I am ok with it love, you have to see reasons with me" Lidia pleaded

"I have tried to see reasons with you mum but I couldn't see any reason which justifies all that you are doing " Lilith added looking defeated.

"You will when you are married, Lilith"

"Lilith," she called out as she watched her stomp off furiously

"Don't talk to me mum I need some time off, I hope you don't get killed one day because I still need you" she answered while walking up the stairs leading to her room.

She slammed the door shut and sat down on the bed with her knee pressed together.

She had seen love and knew it wasn't like this, love wasn't abusive, it cared about others, love wasn't what her parents had.

She had seen Toni's parents and knew they loved each other deeply, her mum's love wasn't harmful toward her but the love she had toward her dad was stupid, "Who loves like that these days?"

Her parent's relationship was toxic and she wondered how she had managed to stay alive till she was 17 considering how much her father hated her.

He didn't care a dime about her welfare, he paid her college fee and made sure she was fed properly but aside from that she had to get the rest herself, she never got new clothes except for the ones Toni gave her telling her he wanted her to have them but she knew he got tired of seeing her repeat same clothes all the time especially when they were in the company of his wealthy friends.

She slept off soon and woke up when the sky was dark.

She walked out and saw her mother seated on the foreign leather couch in the parlor while scrolling through the TV stations.

"You are finally here," Lidia said staring at her.

"I didn't say I won't come down" Lilith murmured.

"The maids went up to call you several times Lilith and you didn't answer them, that wasn't nice of you"

"Mum I was sleeping"Lilith whispered at her.

"I thought you were still angry at me tho."

"Yes I was but not anymore, I can't force you in making decisions right? I am happy you didn't get rid of me I will always be grateful to you for that besides you are an adult already so you are free to make your decisions" she added shrugging her shoulder.

"Thank you for understanding me Lilith, you are one of the greatest gifts I have had aside from your father, of course, I am happy I made that decision although your father doesn't love me, you do and I love him also" she drew closer holding Lilith's hand and staring at her eyes.

"Madam, the food is ready," a maid interrupted them.

"Thank you Josephine,we will be there shortly"

"Ok madam"

"Let's go love" she pulled Lilith up who walked beside her to the large dining room.

"Josephine?"

"Yes madam?"

"What is on the menu today," Lidia asked as she pulled a chair out and watched Lilith sit on one close to her.

"Caucasian pilaf rice with grilled chicken ma'am".

"That's good, have you all eaten?".

"Yes ma'am"

"Ok, then"

Josephine came closer to serve plates of pilaf rice to them and left.

"Mum?"

"Yes, love"

"Why are you being polite?" Lilith asked

"It is called courtesy love here try this it's yummy". Lidia said as she placed a chicken on her plate.

"This taste so good" Lilith smiled and chewed.

The maids stood close by watching the mother and daughter duo with pity, they knew how badly they were treated by their master and made sure they tried their utmost best to take care of them mainly because their madam was a nice woman she didn't disrespect them as others did to their maids and always care about their welfare.

They were used to seeing them together eating alone as their master rarely ate with them, the first and only time it happened, it ended with tears.

"Easy Lilith there is plenty for you" Lidia cautioned

"Mum, it is yummy thanks Aunt Josephine for this wonderful meal," Lilith said wiping her mouth with a clean handkerchief kept by the side.

"Welcome young miss it is a pleasure seeing you enjoy my cooking"Josephine replied while picking up the dishes used to the kitchen.

"Mum"

"Yes love"

"You never told me about your family, why?"Lilith asked looking puzzled.

"They are dead," Lidia said looking sad.

"At least you can tell me where you are from mum it won't take anything from you" Lilith pushed on

"It brings back sad memories that I want to forget Lilith".

"I am sorry mum"

"It is okay, how is your preparation for your entrance exam coming alone?"

"Fine, mum but I need to go back to my room now, goodnight mum" she added while kissing her cheek.

"Sweet dreams love" she heard as she watch as she watched her walk up the stairs.

Lidia wondered if she had truly made the right choice as she watched Lilith walk up the stairs heading toward her room.

She had thought Garry would grow to love her but he didn't.

It had been seventeen years already and she had wished she could retract her step but she knew it was too late.

She had been blinded by the love she had for him and had cut off her connection with her family. She felt teary when she remembered the last request she had asked from them before cutting off connection with them.

She still remembered her mother's eyes which were calm as she told her brother to make sure that her last request was granted so she would be able to live comfortably wherever she went.

Lidia could remember her mother's firm grip on the cell phone she was holding as Lidia told her she would cut off connection with them.

"Foolish girl, I know you will come back to me soon, when you see how dangerous the world out there is" she heard her mother as she stepped out with her bag.

She knew her mother was trying to stop herself from holding her daughter against her will and that she regretted the day she allowed Lidia to go to the party where everything changed.

Lidia had fallen in love with Garry at first sight. She could still remember how she believed him when he gave her promises of his unending love, telling her she was the only one he ever wanted, calling her his priceless jewel. She had never felt the way he made her feel so she let herself go along with him to the room where he had taken her to.

She believed him when he told her he would marry her so she gave herself to him willingly.

Garry introduced her to his family and when they found out she was pregnant forced him to marry her even after Garry claimed that he didn't want her anymore.

She knew the relationship she had with Garry was toxic but she had to make do with what she had. She had made her bed of thorns and she will have to lay on it.

"Madam,"

Lidia turned and was relaxed when she saw it was Josephine by her side.

"Are you done cleaning?" She questioned her,

"Yes, Madam,are you okay? I have been standing here for a while now,"

Lidia sighed softly and turned to Josephine `` Do you ever wish you had met your family, Josephine?" Lidia questioned nonchalantly.

" Yes, I would have loved to see my family," Josephine replied. She wasn't one to pick offence over petty things. She knew Lidia never meant to remind her about her painful past, she was one of Lidia's close friends and confidants and she knew everything about her.

"I would love to see my family, I miss them, Josephine, I really do," Lidia said with tears in her eyes.

Josephine drew closer, she held her palm and squeezed it offering her support. She had heard from Lidia about her background and knew how tough it had been living this way. She knew she loved Garry with every fiber in her and knew she would get tired one day of Garry not reciprocating her feelings.

Every human needed a push to go on in life and she knew Lilith had been that push in her mother's life but she wondered until when?

"I miss my mother, my brother, and everyone Josephine, I do," Lidia cried as she recalled her family.

"You can go and visit them madam, you know you are always welcomed back,"

Garry frowned and halted in his step when he heard what Josephine had just said. He wanted a divorce from Lidia before leaving. Who told her she could leave without his permission? What right does she have to go without signing the divorce papers? He chuckled loudly.

"Since when did you both become friends? A maid and her madam, how can you stoop so low Lidia?" He questioned as he walked down the stairs.

Josephine stood up out of fear and walked back to her quarters leaving the couple alone. She knew her limit and wouldn't overstep them.

"Are you thinking of going back home without signing the divorce papers? Hmm?" He questioned, " Are you deaf?" He questioned her.

He walked closer and gripped her arms forcing her to get up and stare at him.

He felt something poke his heart when he saw her eyes which were red from crying. Lidia stared at the face of the man she love and savoured the pain the tight grip on her arm caused.

"I still keep wondering why I can't let go of these feelings I have toward you, Garry, why can't I? You treat me like trash and I still love you, just why? Why can't i get rid of this stupid feeling i have toward you?" Lidia questioned.

Garry chuckled as he glanced at her, "Love? You call what you have for me love? You are pathetic Lidia,you know how much I hate you and Lilith but still, yet you keep saying you love me, how is that love? You are being foolish Lidia,"

" I won't let you go Garry, I made a request with my family and left because of you, so you know I can't," Lidia tried to make him see reasons with him.

Garry placed his lips on her ear and said sensually "You won't ever get my Love Lidia, You won't have the privilege to get my heart, you have tried for seventeen years now and you couldn't get it why don't you give up Lidia? I know how to force you into divorcing me, Lidia, do not force me to do it." He loosened the grip on her arm and grinned as Lidia fell backward on the couch.

Lidia stared blankly at the door Garry had just walked through. "Would she never get his heart?" She wondered as she watched him drive away.

"Daddy" Junior called out running into his father's outstretched arm.

"I can see someone misses me"

I missed you so much" Junior replied happily, running his face on his father's chest.

"Junior, how are you doing?"

"I am fine daddy"

"And there is my princess and my queen" he smiled as his wife walked out with his little princess and kissed him on the cheek.

"Welcome love I thought you won't be coming in today?"

"I couldn't bear not seeing you all today so I had to try my best to be here" he walked in and dropped junior on the floor gently, then he turned his attention to his princess who had taken a seat on the couch.

"Princess, don't I get a kiss?" He asked sulking

"No, I don't want to talk to you"

"What did I do wrong princess? Tell me and I will make it right this instant" he urged her.

"Hummp" she scoffed and turned her face.

He was at a loss and turned to his wife who smiled at him and called out sweetly to him

"Darling,"

"Yes, love," he answered.

"You promised us something the last time you came didn't you?"

"Did I?" He feigned pretense

"Don't tell me you forgot?"

"I didn't love it's in the car, tell Janet to bring it in"

"Janet,"

"Yes, madam"

"Take this key and bring out the bags in the car" her madam instructed

"Ok madam".

Janet accepted the key and walked out soon after she came in with three designer bags.

"They are here madam" Janet dropped the bags on the ground close to her madam and walked out.

The bags contained limited edition purses and shoes, a ticket for the upcoming football match, and a beautiful princess gown in lilac color.

"Love this is beautiful, I didn't know you would be able to get the purses or the shoes either," his wife said, appearing touched.

"You know I promised you will get it and you know I always try to get whatever you guys need".

"Princess, can I get my kisses now?" He asked smiling

"No daddy I won't kiss you" Azura answers her father

"Why?" He asked looking puzzled

"Your face is itchy" she replied

"So you are saying you will after I have shaved right?"

"Yes daddy I will"

"Ok then I am going upstairs with your mummy to shave. I will be getting my kiss when I am back," he said to Azura.

He got up and carried his wife princess style which earned a scream from her.

"Stop that, put me down, the kids are here" Amelia blushed furiously and hit him on the chest lightly.

"Junior, take care of your sister, we will be back soon". He ignored her words and continued carrying her toward the stairs.

"Yes, daddy," Junior answered.

Amelia wasn't okay with leaving the kids alone so she instructed Janet to look after them before going upstairs.

Amelia helped him open the door and sat upright after he placed her on the bed.

"I missed you," He said as he placed his lips on her neck which earned a moan from her lips.

"Wait" She shouted.

"What again,love?" He said pouting as he hated being stopped.

"You promised last time," Amelia said

"I didn't touch her, you know I won't she disgusts me"

"You said you will pursue her out and bring us in, you promised to make me your legalized wife," she said, turning her face to the side.

"I did Amelia, I know I promised but she refused to let go of me she kept insisting she loves me. What else can I do?"

"I can see you don't want us then, I will take junior and Azura away and I can guarantee you, you won't ever see us" she deadpanned and smiled inwardly as she saw his frightened face, she knew all he needed was a push and she will keep giving him that until he brings them in.

"Amelia, love you know you can't do that you know you all are my life and the source of my joy" he pleaded.

"Then do something fast or else your source of joy will leave you".

"I will love, I will but i just need time" he sat contemplating his actions and how to go about it.

"Darling?" He heard Amelia call him and turned to her.

"You know I don't mean any harm," she said as she caressed his chest, and he took in a sharp intake of breath.

"I do love, I know you don't mean any harm, you never have my love but she is stubborn," he added dejectedly.

"Why don't you let her know about us yourself then?" She suggested.

"I don't think it is a wise thing to do, Amelia" he answered, turning to face her directly.

She cupped his face with her hands and sat on his lap then turned to him.

"I know but keep pushing for the divorce I am sure she will let you go soon" She added.

"Are you sleeping over today?"

"No, love I am sorry I can't sleep out tonight".he apologized as he saw her sad face.

"That is why you need to bring us in quickly," she urged.

"I will bring you in soon, I just need some time." Garry said

"The children keep questioning me on why they have a father who doesn't spend the night with them, they are grown already you know." She added shrugging.

"I will make it up to them soon, now I need to go for that shaving, come and assist me" he cajoled her.

"I am not coming in with you, I know what you want and I won't give in to you until you bring us in."

"I will soon Amelia just this once please?"

"NO"

" Ok, fine."

He said as he stood up and walked toward the bathroom to shave.

"So much for giving him two amazing kids" Amelia complained and walked out of the room.

When he came out he looked around and didn't see his wife so he walked downstairs knowing she would be with their kids.