Delicate

chapter two

*TW mentions of abuse*

WOULDVE COULDVE SHOULDVE TAYLOR SWIFT

Many different people had opinions on Big John Routledge both positive and negative. His own son and daughter being divided on the subject, John B idolized our dad and always did everything for his approval. The two of them were like best friends with their "fights" being nothing compared to how my father treated me. Ever since my mom left since I could remember really, my dad had chased after his stupid ass treasure getting drunk and taking out his anger over not finding it on me. Every night almost like clockwork he would get home, me and JB would fix him dinner, he would shut himself up in his study, and would beat me mercilessly after me and John B went to bed. I'll never forget the first time they teamed up on me.

FLASHBACK

**

"Ow Ow Daddy stop! Daddy Please you're hurting me!" 5 year old me screams as my father pounds his fists all down my face and stomach. John B comes out of his room, "DAD WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" he shouts. "Son, you know how when you do something bad you must be punished?" he asks calmly, trying to be as convincing as possible. "Yeah, I guess so?" he answers skeptically. "Well that's all that's happening here with your sister." he replies coolly. "Seems a bit harsh..." he says. "It's the same as when you get spankings she just can't take it as well because she's a girl." That damn sexist convinces my brother. "Ella stop screaming I wanna go back to bed." my twin answers. "JB I can't help it, this hurts real bad!" I sob. "Well you shouldn't have done whatever bad thing you did and Dad wouldn't have to punish you. He loves us. You think he wants to be doing this? He could be finding the treasure but instead he's stuck with you." For a 5 year old that was pretty fucking mature and I still remember the shock that hurt more than the slap I was about to get to this day. "But i didn't do any- *SLAP*. I'm silenced by my dad's dirty palm hitting my lips with full force. "Go back to bed Bird, your sister and I will be done in a minute." he says as I begin to black out.

**

"Ella, I promise I didn't mean it like that!" "Oh my gosh Sarah for the last time it's fine!" I laugh. "I didn't mean for you to hear that and + I joke about that stuff all the time". "You shouldn't joke about your daddy issues Ella" Rafe adds. "What would you know about daddy issues?" I naively retort. Rafe opens then closes his mouth gripping his hands harder on the wheel and speeding up. "Wow someone made my brother speechless and kept all their clothes on! I'm impressed El", Sarah winks. I laugh and Rafe says "One shut up, two she is wearing a short rolled up skirt and a only partly buttoned shirt so that doesn't leave much to the imagination". I roll my eyes, "Well your imagination is the only part of you that'll see the rest so better get a good image" me and Sarah laugh. "Okay Princess we'll see about that" he says and winks and just as I'm about to answer we pull into Tannyhill.

"ELLA, SARAH IT'S CHRISTMAS!!" we're greeted by Wheezie as we walk through the thick oak doors. "I know, I am so excited!" replies Sarah. "Ella how about you?" Wheezie asks. But I'm too distracted watching Rafe's muscular bicep veins pop as he lifts his bags out of the trunk of the range rover. "Ella? Hello? That's like the third time you've zoned out today. Are you okay?" Sarah asks. "Um yeah I'm fine, just super tired from finals, and stressed I missed the new material from earlier". "Well school ain't shit" Sarah says. "Haha for real! I agree I don't know why I was so concerned about it".

LATER THAT NIGHT

Me and Sarah are sitting on her bed painting our nails listening to 1989, when we hear a couple knocks on the door. "Wheezie! I swear to God if you don't leave us alone I'm gonna slap you!" Sarah shouts, "Not Wheezie" a familiar voice answers. Sarah opens the door and I see Rafe's 6'2 frame leaning sexily against the door. I feel churning in my stomach and cross my legs. "wtf do you want Rafe?" Sarah rolls her eyes as she asks. He ignores her staring intently at me, "You're needed downstairs princess" he grins as he sees the anger wash over my face because of that stupid nickname. I'm confused why they need me downstairs but get up and silently follow Rafe, knowing I'm not in the mood to start a fight. A look of disappointment appears as I don't respond to his attempts to bother me. "Assshole" I think. Why is he so obsessed with making my life a living hell? Why are some of the only times he smiles when he's aggravating me? We get to Ward Cameron's study/office and Rafe opens the door for me, dialing a number on his phone and walking away. "probably his hoe of the day" I mutter. "Ella." Ward warmly greets me and motions for me to sit in one of the chairs across from his desk. "Give me just a few minutes I have to finish this email and wait for Rose to get here". "No rush Ward" I sweetly respond. I love being in Ward's office because it's so different from my dads. While his was mess In fact Ward was the complete opposite of my dad. He had always been a father figure for me letting me stay at tannyhill when I needed to get away from my dad,  getting my bruises and cuts taken care of, and getting custody taken away from my dad and becoming my legal guardian. He took me out of literal poverty into a lavish lifestyle and when I think of how he had basically saved my life because of his money I didn't mind the whole 'kook privilege' being able to cheat the system type of thing. "Hey hon" Rose says as she walks in. "Hi Rose" I smile and say happily still halfway in a daydream where me and JJ are married living in Yucatan and owning a surf shop. "So Ella, sorry this all is so formal but we need to talk about your situation..." I feel my heart drop there's only one situation Ward could mean. "Your dad's been missing for about a month and we're concerned about you and your brother". "Look Ward, before you get any further I told JB I was gonna call him to check up on him tonight, so how about we have this conversation after I've at least heard from him". Ward looks frustrated that I basically just interrupted the fuck out of him but Rose gives him a warning glance that shuts him up. "Of course sweetie, we just want to get things straight so we don't have them looming over our holiday".  "How about you go up and text him now" Rose says. "Yes ma'am" I answer politely and she winks. I walk up to my room and text my brother.

*incoming call from john b*

"Well if it isn't little miss kook!" I sigh as I hear JJ's voice on the other end of the phone. He sounds pretty high and I'm not in the mood for all that shit + I have to have a serious conversation with John B BLEGHHH. "JJ give John B his phone back" I sigh as I roll my eyes to his comment. "Ooh how bout we facetime!" he says ignoring me. "No JJ give john B his phone". "But I wanna see your beautiful face" he whines. "I have to figure out if I call you the prettiest pogue or kook now". Yep he's definitely high. I've learned the hard way that's the only way he's interested in me. "give. John. B. his. phone." I say in a threatening voice as I grit my teeth "fine asshole" he says like some little kid getting put in timeout. "Yes my dear sister?" John B questions. "Oh my gosh not you too! How high are you guys?" "Pretty damn high" I hear him laugh as he answers. "Look John B I don't wanna be Pope but I seriously need to talk to you". He seems to sober up instantly, "Is this about what I think it's about?"

*AN little bit of a cliffhanger? sorry its kinda slow to begin but trust me this storyline is gonna be good 

should i do chapters from rafes pov? lmk 💕