Gilded Shadows

Chapter 2

Trigger Warning: Descriptions of domestic violence and abuse.

Astrid sat on the worn-out couch in the living room, her heart pounding in her chest. Her father stood in front of her, his eyes bloodshot and his breath heavy with the scent of alcohol. Surrounding them were empty bottles of wine, a testament to his struggles and their family's turmoil. Her father's makeshift bed was an island in a sea of his own indulgence, a sight she had grown all too accustomed to.

"I need to know, Astrid," her father said, his voice slurred. "Did you hear us arguing, Astrid?"

Astrid's mind raced as she tried to compose herself. Confusion and fear mingling, why was he being so urgent about this? She had only heard a snippet but the argument had sounded like it was about his work and lack of presence in her and her siblings lives, a topic mentioned often during her parents fights. She shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I heard some of it."

Her father's expression darkened, a storm brewing behind his eyes. "How much did you hear?" he demanded, his voice laced with urgency.

She searched her mind for the source of his worries, but found none. Why would he be so concerned about this? "Not much, just... just some arguing. I didn't mean to listen."

Her father's brow furrowed, his expression darkening. "Don't lie to me, Astrid. I saw the way you looked when you came in. You know something."

Astrid's heart hammered in her chest. "I swear, Dad, I don't know what your talking about. I just... I just heard you and Mom arguing about your work. That's all."

Her father's eyes narrowed, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "You're lying," he accused, taking a step closer to her. "You're protecting her, aren't you? Your mother?"

Astrid shook her head frantically, her voice trembling. "I swear Dad I don't know—"

But her father wasn't convinced and before she could finish her sentence, her father's hand came down hard across her cheek, the force of the blow sending her reeling. Astrid's vision blurred with tears as pain radiated from her cheek. She could taste blood in her mouth, the metallic tang making her stomach churn.

Her father's rage seemed to escalate with each passing second. He grabbed a nearby wine bottle and swung it at her, the glass connecting with her shoulder with a sickening crack. Astrid cried out in pain, clutching her injured shoulder as she stumbled backwards.

"You're lying to me, Astrid!" her father roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "You know what's going on, and you're keeping it from me!"

Astrid shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I don't know, I swear," she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.

But her father's rage was relentless. With another swing of the bottle, he struck her across the face, the impact sending Astrid crashing to the floor. She lay there, broken and bleeding, the weight of her father's betrayal crushing her spirit.

As her father's drunken shouts faded into the distance, Astrid dragged herself to her feet, her body aching with every movement. She stumbled back to her room, her mind spinning with pain and confusion. She collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow, her tears soaking the fabric beneath her.

When she finally found the strength to rise, her body ached with every movement. She stumbled to her feet and made her way back to her room, the pain in her shoulder throbbing with each step.

Once inside, Astrid collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow as she sobbed. The weight of her father's betrayal and her own helplessness pressed down on her, suffocating her with despair.