The Family Origin

Chapter Fifty-Four: MAISIE POV

While Joseph and Bram spoke, I tried to recall what Miles had said about his uncle. His name was barely ever mentioned, so my mind was blank. Joseph did not have a friendly demeanour toward his brother, and I doubted Miles would be any kinder. Initially, Miles only seemed confused, but his confusion turned into rage when Bram talked about selling the house.

Miles grabbed the back of the chair and yanked Bram backward. Bram's eyes widened, and his arms flailed while he tried to maintain his balance. Miles snatched his wrist and twisted his arm to an awkward angle. He fell off the chair and screamed. Miles pulled his arm behind his back and forced him onto his knees. Joseph let out a deep sigh as he stood. My hands stayed on my stomach, feeling the small fluttery movements of my baby.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

His voice was shrill with fear. He tried to get up onto his feet, but Miles kept him on the floor. Every time Miles twisted his arm more, his face contorted in pain as he screamed. Joseph walked around the table and looked down at Bram with his arms crossed over his chest. Tears were streaming down Bram's cheeks.

"You should have never come here," Joseph said.

"Joe!" Bram cried out. "I'm your brother!"

Joseph shook his head. Miles twisted Bram's arm even more. The crack of bone was barely audible over Bram's scream. A chill ran through my body, and the baby started kicking more. I rubbed my stomach to try to calm both myself and my baby.

"You left this family," Joseph said. "You thought that you were too good to be a Wilcox."

He crouched next to Bram. Miles had pulled him far enough away from the table so that my view was not obstructed. I thought about getting up and running upstairs but could only move my hands. I was stuck watching what was about to happen.

"I told you not to go to the city," Joseph said. "I tried to warn you, but you said this farm was a waste. You left us all behind."

Bram made a noise that was a mixture of a scream and a sob. Miles did not let go of his wrist, keeping him down.

"I should probably thank you for leaving," Joseph said. "I was going to New York to find you, but I met Maisie instead. I found someone who values family. She is much more of a Wilcox than you ever were."

Bram looked over at me. Between the pain and tears, he struggled to open his eyes. I bit down on my lip as memories of that night in the tavern came back to me. Joseph had only stopped for a drink. He was going into the city to find his brother.

"Who is she?" Bram sobbed. "What did you do to her?"

Miles pulled Bram's arm into an even further twist. Bram shrieked as his body collapsed to the floor. His broken arm was at an unnatural angle from his shoulder.

"We saved her," Miles said. When he was mad, his voice usually stayed cold and void of emotion. Hearing the anger seep into his words caused goosebumps to spread across my skin. "Do you think I hurt her?"

Miles kept a tight grip on Bram's arm, causing his body to twist at a horrific angle each time he shook with a sob. Bram managed to lift his head to look at Joseph, who had not moved from his crouched position.

"Make him stop," Bram cried.

"I cannot stop him from protecting his family," Joseph said.

"I am family!"

"You are an outsider."

Joseph let out a deep breath as he stood. Miles let go of Bram's wrist. His arm fell to the floor like there were no bones underneath his flesh. I cringed as I watched him struggle to move, unable to get his broken body off the floor.