The Family Origin

Chapter Fifty-Five: JOSEPH POV

When I left Miles's bedroom, I did not want to go downstairs to inform him I would be staying with Maisie until she fell asleep. He was busy torturing Bram, and I did not want to add to his fury. When he killed Vincent and Oliver, his face was an emotionless mask. When Bram insinuated that Miles had been hurting Maisie, he became enraged. Speaking about Maisie sparked something in Miles that was deranged.

Bram's screaming did not stop while I waited in the hallway. Miles could easily kill him, but he wanted him to suffer. I had no idea how long the torture would last.

After a few minutes, I knocked on the bedroom door before opening it. Maisie had changed out of her dress and into a white nightgown. The lace was yellowing, but I recognized it as the one Clara used to wear when she was pregnant. She was standing in front of the mirror and threading her fingers through her blonde hair as she undid her braid. I closed the door, but Bram's noises were not any quieter.

Maisie ran her fingers through her hair as she walked over to the bed. She pulled back the blankets and laid down. I crossed my arms over my chest as I watched her settle onto her side. The lamp caused shadows to flicker across her face, but her eyes were open as she stared at me. Bram's cries were becoming weaker, but they still echoed through the room. Maisie sighed as she cradled her stomach.

"Joseph." Her voice was soft. "Are you scared of him?"

I let out a deep breath and uncrossed my arms. She had a small smile as I walked over to her and sat on the edge of the bed. I reached forward and placed my hand on her stomach. I had not touched her in months, so feeling the small movements of my grandchild made my heart flutter. Hopefully, this baby would not be sick like Briar.

"Joseph," she said to regain my attention.

"Am I scared of Miles?" he asked, and she nodded. "No, of course not."

Bram let out another ear-piercing scream. Maisie flinched. Her eyes closed and her muscles tightened until the sound ended. I continued to rub her stomach and feel the baby move. She had a brief moment of crying earlier when listening to these screams. Thankfully, she had managed to control herself. We taught her not to let her emotions takeover, and she listened.

The screaming came to a sudden stop. Did Miles finally kill him? Would there be a bloody mess downstairs? Maisie let out a deep breath, releasing the tension from her muscles, and opened her eyes.

"Are you scared of Miles?" I asked.

"No," she said. "He would never hurt me. He would never hurt us."

"Exactly," I said. "This is just to keep us safe."

Maisie placed her hand over mine, keeping my palm against he stomach. I sat in silence as I watched her close her eyes again.

"Do you think it is done?" she asked.

"Try to get some rest," I said. I was unsure, and I did not want to lie. If Bram's screeching returned, she could start panicking. "You do not need to worry about what is happening downstairs."

The house was silent, and I could only hear some movements in the kitchen. Maisie had a small smile as she slightly nodded her head. Her breathing turned deep and rhythmic as she fell asleep. I waited a few moments before pulling my hand out from underneath hers, and she did not react. I adjusted the blankets around her body. My fingers ran through her soft hair, and she let out a soft sigh. I turned off the oil lamp and flooded the room with darkness.

When walking down the stairs, I prepared to see the kitchen splattered in blood. I told Miles he would have to clean any mess, and I intended to follow through with the threat. I was tired of having to scrub this kitchen with bleach.