Demon Daughter (Book I)

8.2 | The Whole Truth

Lynn woke up and slowly sat up in the dark, placing her hand on Roger’s pillow, but her husband wasn’t there.

“Roger?” the woman got up from the bed and glanced at the clock on the bedside table. “What’s he doing at one o’clock at night?”

Worried, she left the room. For many nights she couldn’t sleep well, with all sorts of problems buzzing in her head like a swarm of bees. Not only was she worried about Roger, but also about Ravenna. She remembered well the day Arella came to her, begging to take her daughter. But Lynn had already made up her mind, even though she knew it was risky. Ten years had passed since that day, and she tried not to get too attached to the girl, knowing that sooner or later she would have to give her back to Arella or Tasdar would take her away. But she just couldn’t help it. She loved Ravenna like her own daughter. She didn’t want to lose her and let Arella down at the same time, she was her friend after all. Not a day went by that Lynn didn’t wonder when Tasdar would get in her way, and now that she finally met face-to-face with him, she vowed herself to protect Ravenna at all costs, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.

When Lynn entered the kitchen, she noticed the front door open. She found this unusual, as she never left them unlocked, so she peered through the crack, a little concerned. On the porch, with a cigarette in his teeth, Roger leaned against the wooden railing. He hadn’t lit the lamp and the woman couldn’t see his face clearly. He didn’t even bother to hear her approach and turn around because he was lost in his own thoughts. Lynn knew him well enough to realise that something was bothering him and came up from behind to reassure him. Her hands slid gently down his shoulders. The man finally turned around and smiled briefly.

“When will you stop smoking?” she asked.

“You know I smoke when I’m worried.”

“You’re so tense. What are you worried about now?”

For a while he stood in silence, avoiding her gaze and staring into the darkness ahead, his eyes wandering along the horizon.

“A lot of things,” he said. “And above all, about Tasdar.”

“Didn’t you say he only yelled at you?”

He was in no hurry to speak, wondering how to explain everything to her. He finished smoking and dropped the cigarette. With a deep sigh, he finally faced her again. “You know he loves to play with me and drag my family into this. I may not be perfect, I may have done many unforgivable things, but I never wanted you, my parents, let alone our children, to suffer because of him.”

Lynn recoiled in surprise. “What do you mean by that?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I didn’t want to worry you.”

“What did Tasdar come up with this time?”

“He knew you would tell me everything you talked about that day. He may admire my plans, but it doesn’t mean he didn’t punish me. At the same time, I got an offer, which is what I’m thinking about right now.”

Lynn lifted her head to look him in the eye as if that would help her know all his thoughts. “What kind of offer?”

“I hope you understand that if I don’t accept this offer, Tasdar will kill me.”