Snow covered the road like a white tomb, and my baby crying was the only thing keeping me from passing out into it. I held Lily in my coat, pressed against my chest, but she was still shivering from the icy winds that hit her tiny body every time a gust blew by.
“Just a little bit further,” I whispered, even though I honestly didn’t know where “further” was anymore.
My parents’ house glowed warm and golden from within the storm. My mom was probably making some tea while my dad checked the locks on the doors.
An hour before this, I had been standing in the foyer of their marble-manor with blood still damp from a hospital bracelet on my wrist.
“Dad, please,” I pleaded. “My baby is freezing to death. Let me take the car.”
My dad’s mouth twisted cold with disdain at my words. “What car?”
“The Mercedes that grandpa bought for me.”
My mom chuckled softly like I was an idiot. “Honey, we sold it. bills don’t pay themselves.”
“But grandpa sends me money each and every month.”
Her eyes turned sharp-looking immediately. “Not enough.”
At that moment, my sister Vanessa walked down the stairs in my cashmere coat with diamond earrings in and a smile that could cut glass.
“Maybe if you hadn’t gotten pregnant by a guy that disappeared, you’d be less of a burden,” she said, completely casually.
I looked at the keys dangling from her hands. The silver Mercedes symbol swayed as she held them in her hand.
“That was my car.”
Vanessa closed her fist around the key. “It was.”
My dad stepped in between us. “Get out, Claire! we’re done cleaning up your messes.”
And so, I left.Not due to lack of strength but rather being without a phone, having burned stitches, and requiring warmth to provide warmth for my daughter exceeding my need for pride.
Then, headlights pierced through the deep, thick snow with a screech.
A black Bentley rolled soundlessly to the curb like a hunter stalking its prey. The back door opened before the driver made a movement.
Out came my grandfather, dressed in a long, dark wool coat, silver hair covered with snow from the storm, and a cane that struck the ice like a grand jury’s decision to convict.
“Claire?”
My mouth was moving to respond, yet no words were formed because my teeth chattered so violently.
His gaze dropped from my face to see the baby hidden in my coat. Then, to see my shoes and back toward the illuminated mansion behind me.
The look on his face shifted.
It didn’t turn from anger into something colder.
It turned to ice.
“Where is the Mercedes I purchased for you?”
I swallowed hard as I said, “Vanessa has it.”
He clenched his jaw tightly. “And the trust payments every month?”
I said quietly, “Mom told us we were broke.”
He looked at the driver for a moment.
“Take us to the police station, please.”
The driver looked puzzled. “Sir?”
Grandpa helped me get into the car, and the sound of his calm, steady voice frightened all within earshot.
“Now.”….