Chapter 33 Sickness
I'm freezing by the time I walk through Aunt Beth's domain. If I had any other choice, I wouldn't be here right now. I would take my sisters with me and we'd all be safe in a new place. But I'm not sure I have the money ready for that. Even working full-time in a flower shop, I don't know how I'll make ends meet, unless I get help from James.
I can't ask Charlie to quit school and work. She has half a year left and then she can graduate and go to college. And Olivia is only 16! Even if she got an after school job flipping burgers, there is no way in hell she'd share her money with me so I could pay rent.
As I shove my way into the door, I'm cold and achy and completely ready for my aunt's assault. The last thing I need is for her to find my new bank card when she's trying to take my cash. I refuse to let her take this from me! It's my only way to secure my sisters and I are safe.
She tries to slap me, but I dodge and pull my purse with me. I swear tonight she looks deranged as she screams, and tries to attack me with her claws. But I just kick her legs out from under her and she lands on her ass.
"Not tonight! You will not touch me or what belongs to me tonight," I state through gritted teeth. "I've had it up to here with you and your slob of a husband! You are nothing but thieves and I'm going to make you pay for every damn penny you've stolen from us!"
"You little bitch! That's my money! I've earned it fair and square! I keep you in this house. You and your burdensome sisters! I deserve that money!" She screeches, trying to climb back up on shaky legs.
"No, you don't. And this house? It didn't come from you or your husband. It came from the money you stole from my parents!" I argued. "We'd be better off in an orphanage. And news flash, I'm taking my sisters to an apartment the moment I get the money. Once we are no longer in your care, you can't touch that money! But in order for me to have enough to move out, you have to stop stealing from me!" I state, wanting nothing more than to kick her in the face and see how she likes it.
Beth's jaw drops. Her face burns red with rage and humiliation. She'd better get used to it. I refuse to bow down to her anymore. I'm pretty sure my parents would agree with me. If Mom knew what her twin had been doing to us all this time she would never have sent us to live with her.
I probably shouldn't have told her that. I wasn't planning on telling her my plans. I was just going to take them away when I was ready. Now she's going to do whatever she needs to to stop me from leaving... And I'm not going to let her... Even if I have to beg Hailey to let my sisters sleep on her couch for a month.
I don't bother looking at her as I march past. I'm so damn pissed off right now. I've been trying to hide my temper and be an obedient girl, but I just can't do it any longer. I'm an adult, and she can't touch me!
"Josie! Come quick! Charlie is sick!" Liv panics, rushing up to me, dragging me up the stairs.
"What the hell? What's the matter Liv?" I girt my teeth, running to their room.
But she doesn't have time to tell me a damn thing as she practically pushes me through her bedroom door and.
And there laying on her bed is my sister, sweating through her clothes and coughing like she's about to lose a lung. She looks like she's freezing the way she is trembling. Her face is white and she seems to be having a hard time breathing. What the hell is going on with my sister? And why didn't Beth take care of this?!
I reach for her forehead and she's burning up. There is no reason she shouldn't be on some sort of pain reliever to bring down her fever. Someone could've used a cold cloth to wipe her sweat from her brow. Wrapped her in warmer blankets to keep her from shivering like she's in a damn freezer.
I don't bother saying anything else. "Liv, grab an extra blanket. We're leaving!" I state, wrapping Charlie up like a burrito. "You are going to be just fine Charlie. I'm going to get you help!" I whisper in her sweat soaked hair.