Umbrie didn't relent as he smacked the man hard on his forehead. He grunted and tried pushing her off. Daphne was able to stand from the ground and leaped to the door despite gee weak state.
She looked around for help but there was no one in sight. Holding her bleeding arm, she slumped on the porch.
"You sick b*tch!" The man yelled kicking Umbria repeatedly on her abdomen which sent her wincing in pain.
She was doing all she could to hold back from shifting and tearing him apart.
She endured his hard kicks until it was as though she'd die and never survive.
She remained on the floor clutching onto her stomach and growling in pain.
"That's enough. Please!" Umbrie cried when she felt her whole body going numb and disoriented.
All of a sudden, someone landed on the man crashing him to the floor in the most chaotic thud. She lifted her head to see it was Keiran.
He rushed to her and carried her up before taking her out of the house.
Daphne had called the police and they arrived a few minutes later accompanied with an ambulance.
The two girls were treated immediately and left to rest in a hospital room.
"I'm so sorry, Umbrie." Daphne cried after the nurse had left the ward.
"Sorry? Why are you sorry?" She questioned, confused.
"I got you into this mess. Look at the scars and bruises on your body. My father almost killed you." She replied in a shaky voice.
"Your father? That man is your father? What about your mom? You told me she was sick. Why would your father abuse you that way? What's going on, Daphne? You have to confide in me. We are friends remember?" Umbrie calmly said whilst sitting up on the bed.
There was a long silence as Daphne thought over speaking up. Her heart had broken into so many pieces and she just wishes Umbrie didn't show up. She wished nobody would find out and er father would be arrested.
She sniffed after a series of thoughts raised through her head.
"My mother is indeed sick. She has been gravely ill and on life support for months. My father divorced her when her illness worsened and he took me into custody. He remarried and we moved here to start a new life but his new wife is just so evil. She is such a hypocrite. She acts like she wants the best for me but rather, she wants me gone. My father has a bad temper which my mother was able to tame but his new wife makes it worse and he looses it even without thinking. Today is one of those days he comes home extremely tormented with anger. I had to put on so much makeup whenever I get a bruise." She sighed pushing her hair backwards with a hand.
'So that's why Daphne always wears makeup to school which wasn't blinding but you'd definitely notice them. I wished I could be stylish like her even without knowing the reason behind the appearance which looks so appealing', Umbrie thought after she had finished speaking.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Daphne. It's so unfair. I am also sorry for getting your house address without your permission. I was really worried about you." She said going close to her.
Daphne smiled out tears as she embraced her in a tight hug...
"I went to a witch house once to see if I could end my misery by killing my stepmother or by doing something about the two of them! But I decided to just deal with it. I was too scared." She revealed sniffling out tears.
It immediately occurred to Umbrie that Jared once told her that he saw her there and warned her to be careful. This means that she had been going through the torture all along.
Her skin crawled on thinking about this. Daphne doesn't deserve this. She's such a good person who's just trying to put on a facade for everyone to believe it's her true self.
She rubs and pats her back as she cried.
They remained together for a long time sharing their pain before Daphne spoke up again.
"How did Keiran know you were at my house? Did you tell him before coming?" She asked out of curiosity.
Umbrie bit her lower lip. She can't possibly tell Daphne that Keiran felt it because he was her mate and since they have bonded recently, the mate pull is even stronger and they both have a strong connection now.
"I have no idea. You should ask him later." She replied dismissing the query.
Daphne doesn't say anything as they laid on the bed cuddling in silence.
"Your skin is so warm and comforting." Daphne commented and Umbrie's cheeks reddened.
"I'm here for you, Daphne. No matter what. And I'm glad your father has been arrested. He should pay for hurting you out of his frustrations. He should have just beat up his colleagues at work instead of doing what he did." Umbrie peeved ruefully.
"Thank you, Brie..." Daphne muttered as her eyes closed in deep sleep.
"You are welcome, Daph." Umbrie replied.
•
Two days later
•
"We don't have any exam tomorrow, what would you like to do?" Umbrie asked Daphne as they both sat on the bed in Umbrie's bedroom.
Daphne has been staying in her house after she was discharged from the hospital.
"Nothing but read." She replied resting her head on the pillow. She was quiet for a while as she thought of how to say what was on her mind.
"Just say it, Daphne. Stop keeping things to yourself. You are too young for that!" Umbrie sarcastically scolded.
"Fine...I want to go see my mother. I know she's not in her best state but I just want to see her again. It's been a long time. I only have two photos and they are no longer helping me survive without her." She revealed sadistically.
"Don't worry. My brother will take you there in his awesome fast car." Umbrie winked at her and she froze.
"Your brother?
Why you brother?" She asked looking puzzled and trying hard not to be flustered.
"He loves traveling around. This is totally his thing. He will be happy to go there. Besides, he's a good driver and can bring you back in one day. My parents are both busy so he is the only alternative." She replied.
"Will you be coming with us?" Daphne asked in a frail tone.
"No. I have to take care of Sky." She answered intently gazing at her.
Umbrie missed seeing her giggle and snicker like a little girl. She hasn't been herself lately and she doesn't like that.
"Alright then. I just hope he doesn't crash into a tree or something. He drives really fast." Daph muttered.
Umbrie chuckled before texting Jared. She had to write the message as formally as possible because her brother would not pretty much agree to drive Daphne if the text was lighthearted.
After writing it, she sent it.
Daphne caught a glimpse of what she wrote and for the first time in a few days, she laughed.
"What breed of a brother is he?" She joked.
"An entirely different breed. But he's very caring you know. He thinks Keiran is not a good guy for me." Umbrie replied and quickly placed a hand over her mouth after she said that. It shocked her that she just told Daphne a complicating info.
"Why does he think that?" Daphne asked unbothered with her countenance.
"Well, he just doesn't like Keiran. They are always on each others necks. It's a tiring story."
"Argh...I see." Daphne remarked before closing her eyes.
And that's it, she slept off after a stressful exam at school. Umbrie admired the way she slept because it just comes too sudden. She won't yawn or stare into space for a while. Sleep comes knocking and she just yields to it even in the mist of a conversation.
•
Next Morning
•
There was a certain aura lurking around that morning and Umbrie supposed it came from Jared. Yeah. He was the center of that aura that morning.
He got his car ready for the ride and didn't bother Daphne too much to hurry up.
It was new because Jared was one hell of an action guy. He doesn't like anyone messing with his schedule — not even people older than him. He straight up calls you out.
Daphne wore one of her nicest pink dresses and like always, naturally made herself up in the mirror without any mistake or help.
After that, she packed the lunch made by Umbrie and put it in her fancy backpack.
Daphne's father is wealthy and he makes sure Daphne had beautiful things but his demon didn't let her enjoy any of that fully.
And to think her father's lawyer are working hard to have him bailed from jail even after he physically brutalized his own daughter.
Escorting her into the car, Umbrie hugged Daphne for the last time.
"Be strong, alright.. Greet your mom for me. Take care and don't let any guy yell at you for standing up to what is right." Umbrie listed out while glaring at Jared.
He shot her a look while rolling his eyes.
Daphne entered the car after sharing a bid with Umbrie. They drove off afterwards.
"You being in the backseat makes me look like a driver." Jared pointed out unhappy with her sitting position.
"And me being in the front seat makes me look like your latest catch." Daphne effortlessly clapped back.
"How can you still run your mouth after what your father did to you?" Jared asked glancing from the rear view mirror.
Daphne sighed and doesn't say anything else. She tries hard to stop the tears from falling.