OLD RIVALRY || Philip Hamilton x Reader

21

⚠ Trigger warning: mentions of abuse

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Maria and her two daughters were having a nice day out together. Susie wanted to go downtown but Madeline knew better, she knew that the people would tease them, call them names, she also knew that Susan was too young fully understand why.

"Mommy, can we go downtown?" She asked for what seemed to be the twenty-first time.

Maria sighed. "Susie, you know those bad people that throw papers in our lawn?" She asked.

"The papers with our last name on it?" She asked, tilting her head like an innocent puppy.

Madeline sighed. "Are there more? I just cleaned out the previous batch of pamphlets." She said.

"No, there aren't, my Madie." Maria answered. "Anyway, Susie, those meanies are all over town! Remember what happened last time?"

"I don't wanna get hit by tomatoes again." Susan said.

Maria gave her a smile, she hoped Susie couldn't see the sadness and pain in it. Of course the young child didn't see it but Madeline saw.

She saw her mother suffer everyday. And it hurt her. Maria didn't deserve these. She didn't deserve to be mistreated by strangers, by other women, or by her own husband.

Maria didn't deserve to be with James. James Reynolds was a self-centered asshole. He was mean to his wife and children, but when it was with strangers he seemed so nice and kind.

After all, it was only a matter of days before he cornered them and black mailed them into giving up all their riches and money.

Madeline hated that. She hated how her father mistreated people. How he mistreated her mother. It was just bullshit and she was tried of it.

"So, we're gonna go to the park, it's where... less people are..." Maria said.

"Less?"

"Better than a few." Madeline said, crossing her arms.

"So, it's settled, girls." Maria said, clasping her hands together. "We're off to the park.

●♤●

"James, please. D-don't hurt her!" Maria yelled at her husband, who had his hands wrapped around Madeline's arm.

Tears glossed Madeline's brown eyes as the grip on her arm tightened. James' nails dug into her dark skin, drawing blood from the cuts her father was making.

Reynolds only smirked. He loved the feeling of being high and dominant. He loved seeing his wife beg him to stop. Of course he wouldn't. Why would he stop when he could keep milking out the power from his "dearly beloved" family.

Madeline, of course, didn't fight back. She learned to never do that again. She did once before but... the details are rather...

That's how Madeline survived. She learns from her past and tries to use it to her advantage. Mads laid low, learning and trying to use that knowledge.

James was the opposite. He got what he wanted when he wanted. He learned what he wants when he wants.

"And what's you gon' do 'bout this?" He asked.

"I..." Maria was speachless.

What can she do? Nobody'd help her. She was lucky enough to get Y/n and Philip to help her with divorce, but it isn't like anyone else was willing to help her out.

She was a terrible mother. She can't protect herself, how can she protect her faughters?

"Take me instead." She said firmly, keeping out the nervousness.

Madeline's eyes widened. "N-no. Mom, you can't--"

"Shut up, girly." James yelled at Madeline. "It's your dear mama's choice."

"It'll be fine, dearest." Maria said to her faughter. "Just... go to Susie."

Madeline gave a small nod in return. James let go of his grip and slowly made his way to Maria, who tried to keep her knees from giving in.

Madeline looked sadly at her mom before going upstairs to Susan's room. She shut the door quietly behind her, muffling her mother's screams.

"Madie! Your arm!" Susan whispered loudly, pointing at her sister's bleeding forearm, bruises forming around it as well.

"Keep it down, please." Madeline said. "Let's not get in trouble."

Susan opened her mouth to protest, but no words found their way out. So she simply nodded and kept quiet.

Madeline pulled the bandana around her head and used it to clean the wounds, wincing in pain as she worked. She bit her lip, containing the gunts of pain and agony. It hurt but it wasn't as bad as the others.

"Will you be okay, Madie?" Susie asked.

Madeline looked down at her sister and smiled. She ruffled Susan's curly brown locks and pinched her cheek.

"Of course, Susie." She replied. "This'll all blow over."

●♧●

Maria knew it wouldn't be so easy, however. It wasn't easy to stop the pain they were feeling. It was gonna be hard and rough.

Sometimes Maria wondered what it was like if she and her faughters had a better life. If her faughters can get a good father, a loving father. She could imagine the smiles on their faces, their laughs echoing through the halls ofa happy home, a caring home.

Maria knew she can't grant them happiness, that she was a terrible mother.

She tries though.

She tries to fix things. To fix her faughters' life. To fix the mess they live in.

But she can't.

No matter how hard she tries, she fails. It's been years and she was still with James. She was still living in pain.

Pain was ineniviable. She felt like she was drowning in an ocean of darkness, just waiting to suffocate and die.

She was more than willing to die but her faughters need her alive, her family needs her alive. They need her alive.

There were times when Maria just wanted to rip herself apart, to set this dump aflame and live the life she wanted. She wanted to turn a new leave, a new chapter in the narrative. A new life with her and her family. A happy ending to her story.

But the chances are low. She can't just magically change her life. She can't wish things away. She can't snap her fingers and have her problem vanish into thin air.

She sighed. "Come on. Let's get going."

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A/n: that as angsty asf