Chapter 154: From the gutters

Chapter 154: From the gutters
Third person

The force of the slap whipped Valerie's head to the side, the burning pain spreading through her body.

She curled her hands into fist and clenched her jaw, to restrain herself from caressing her stinging cheek and giving this horrible woman the satisfaction of seeing how hurting the hit was.

"You're a troublemaker and a disgrace to this family," Kate Harrison spat, her face twisting in rage. "What do you think you’d achieve by bringing down our family's name?”

A muscle ticked in Valerie's jaw as she struggled to contain her emotions. “I'm the one bringing down the family name?” she repeated, her voice laced with sarcasm.

“Yes, you're the demon in this house,”  Mrs. Harrison fumed. “Even if you managed to survive, why couldn't you just live quietly? Why must you try so hard to sabotage your sister and her husband?”

Valerie's laughter was bitter, her eyes flashing with spite. “You really don’t know why? 

Her sarcastic tone and response fueled Mrs. Harrison’s anger. “You want Adam back?” She hissed, her eyes shooting daggers at Valerie. “Is that what this is about?”

Everything about Mrs. Harrison right now made Valerie's chest tighten… Her tone… the kind of words she spat… the disgust in her eyes…

Tears stung at the back of her eyes. How did she even manage to live with a mother who hated her this much?

She bit the inside of her cheeks to suppress her tears. She couldn't let this woman know how much her heart was hurting… How much her chest ached.

“Did I ever say that?” Val managed to retort. “I don't want someone like Adam, I never will.”

Mrs. Harrison’s eyes narrowed on her. “Then why do you have to be so evil? Just look at what you're doing to our family.”

“You're the evil ones who killed my baby and tried to kill me,” Valerie fired back, suddenly finding her courage even though her voice trembled and she knew that it wouldn't be long before she broke into tears.

Mrs. Harrison’s eyes widened, taken aback, then her face twisted into a mask of fury. She raised her hand again, aiming for Valerie's face.

But Valerie had anticipated it. She caught Miss Harrison's wrist, holding it in a tight grip. "It's only out of respect for your age that I don't slap you back," she spat and a tear slipped from Valerie's eye.

Mr. Harrison, who had only been watching the scene with a disgusted expression, finally spoke up, his voice stern. "How dare you talk to my wife like that? You're an ungrateful brat,” he growled. “She was the woman who took care of you, who raised you when your weak parents die—"

“Shut up!” Valerie screamed, unable to control her anger anymore. More tears slipped down her cheeks and she could taste the salty liquid on her lips. 

Mr. Harrison’s eyes widened in shock. Valerie had raised her voice at him… she'd told him to shut up. Mrs. Harrison was reeling in shock too but Valerie continued anyway. “And whose fault was it that my parents died?” She cried, her voice heavy with emotions as glared at them with an accusing glint. “Who killed them?!” 

Heavy silence descended upon the room and Mrs. Harrison swallowed. She glanced over at her husband and he was just as uneasy.

“Who??!” Valerie shouted again, wiping her cheeks furiously but it made no difference because more tears just pooled down. “Did I ask you to take care of me?? Did I?” Her eyes darted from Kate to Peter, seeking an answer but they both remained silent. “I wanted my parents to take care of me, not you!”

“I swear it, I'll get back at you for killing them in cold blood. I definitely will. It's a promise…” Her voice broke. “Mark my words, I will get you for killing them."

A chill running down Mrs. Harrison's spine… at the intensity of Valerie's words and fear swirled in her eyes. “Shut that mouth of yours!” She barked, trying to hide her fear.

She couldn't have Valerie talking to her like that, spitting such words… accusing her of something that grave. She stared at Valerie, and she could see Lydia. It bothered her, made her blood boil.

Mrs. Harrison lunged forward again. Hands in the air, she was ready to hit Valerie when she felt a stinging pain in her scalp. Someone was pulling at her hair.

“Ouch, ouch,” Kate groaned, trying to tap on the hand that her hair was swirled around. That only made the person pull harder.

Mr. Harrison’s eyes widened as he took in the figure beside him. “Please stop, mother,” he pleaded.

Mother? Who was it? The pain didn't allow Mrs. Harrison to process the words. “Peter, get this bitch away,” she said to her husband. Whoever this person was, would answer to her soon enough. 

No response.

“Let go! Now!" Mrs. Harrison snarled angrily, her scalp burning.

“Bitch, huh?” Grandma Martha tightened her grip on Kate's hair and yanked on it really hard. “You filthy wench,” she spat, her words slicing through the air.

A shiver ran down Mrs. Harrison’s spine as she recognized her voice. She never expected Martha to be here. Ever since her son, Ashley's father, died, the Harrisons saw less of her. 

Even when Ashley was younger, she always had someone pick up the child and bring it to her on weekends. She didn't like the Harrisons for no particular reason.

"They picked you up from the gutters,” Martha seethed. “Yet you repaid the kindness of those who took you in with betrayal and murder.”