He herded me down the hall into a small storage room—once my sanctuary. Now it was stuffed with Claire’s abandoned shopping bags and boxes.
“First aid’s in the back,” Claire murmured sweetly, eyes glinting when Matthew couldn’t see. “Fetch it for me.”
“Why are you even humoring her?” Matthew snapped. “Do it. The least you can do after attacking her.”
Tears blurred my vision as I dug through the clutter, my hands shaking. When I returned, Claire was sprawled across the bed, head nestled against Matthew’s shoulder, her sniffles delicate as glass.
He turned to me, his eyes blazing. “Kneel. Apologize to her. Now.”
I froze.
“I won’t.”
His voice dropped, dangerous. “What did you just say?”
“I said I won’t.”
Rage twisted his face. He shoved me down, and my knees cracked against the floor. Pain shot through me, sharp enough to steal my breath. Instinctively, I clutched my stomach.
“You can’t even show basic respect!” His words lashed like a whip. “No wonder no one loves you. Even if you had everything Claire has, you’d still be unwanted.”
“Matthew!” My cry tore from me, raw and broken.