The Sinner

48

Rafe Cameron

"What?" I ask, my voice sounding completely shocked. What the hell is her mom doing here? On our business deal. My head snaps in the direction of Corrine to see her staring at her mom with cold eyes.

"This is the woman that abandoned me many years ago," She says coarsely. My lips part, the resemblance that I recognized wasn't because I've seen this woman before. But because she looks exactly like Corrine.

She embodies every trait that Corrine possesses, especially her bright eyes, dark hair, face shape, and nose. I used to think she looked her father, but she really resembles her mother in a way that makes Corrine appear like a younger version of herself. It's fucking freaky.

"We have some things to talk about," Elodie starts. "But I'm still you're mother, you don't get to speak to me-"

"You lost your rights as my mother when you decided to pick up everything and leave," She snaps at her. Elodie doesn't show a single sign of remorse, she looks almost numb. My eyes flash to my dad, it felt wrong for the two of us to be here listening to their conversation.

"If I could explain myself, I think you could understand Corrine."

"The reason you left was because something else mattered to you more then I did," She says. "I'm not an idiot, so save your breath instead of trying to guilt trip me into forgiving you."

"Corrine maybe you should listen-"

"Dad, don't," She sighs and stands. "You're the one that refused to talk about her all these years and suddenly she just shows up one day? So, what, have you been secretly in contact with her and just haven't told me?"

He doesn't say anything, signaling that she was right. I watch the back of Corrine's head shake.

"That's fucked up," She tells him. I agree completely.

"Watch your language-"

"I'll watch my language the second you become a better parent." Mike stares at her in disbelief, his mouth staying glued shut. Honestly, I don't think any of us knew what to say. "You made me push her to the back of my head, refusing to talk about how my own mother left us without reasoning. Do you understand the trauma that inflicts on a person?"

"We're sorry honey," Mike admits. "I love you, you know this. There's a reasoning behind our actions."

"I'm sure there is," She says, starting to sound upset. "But I'm not ready to hear it and you can't force me to." My head picks up as she walks out of the room. Her shoes clicking against the hardwood as her footsteps recede. I hear a door close a couple of seconds later.

"I'm sorry Ward, for her behavior. She doesn't deal with her emotions well," Mike apologizes. I feel my jaw clench in anger.

"Hold on a second," I say, feeling my brows scrunch together.

"Rafe," My dad warns.

"She doesn't handle her emotions well because no one cared enough to ask her about them," I defend. Everyone looks up at me. "Seriously, when was the last time you dug into your daughters life?"

She was getting abused and he didn't even know.

"I'm not trying to patronize you right now Mike, you know I respect you, but did you even notice the bruising on her face?" I say. Mike's eyebrows furrow, and he looks over at Elodie. "She's been going through a lot for a while now and needed her parents, but the only person that's been there for her is Maggie."