My hand had struck her with every ounce of the pain I’d carried for years. Her cheek was already swelling and I felt no remorse.
Gilbert’s eyes narrowed, dangerous and cold, as he turned to me. "Lily, apologize to Lucy."
Apologize? After everything?
I stood there, staring at him in disbelief. It was like all the pain, the frustration, the years of trying to make things work, had hit a breaking point. Apologize to Lucy, the woman who had been the center of his world, even while his son was dying?
I straightened my back, my voice calm but firm. "Apologize? After all that she and you have done? You expect me to apologize?"
Gilbert’s expression hardened. "Don’t make this worse, Lily. You’re acting out again."
I stood there, meeting Gilbert’s furious glare with defiance. "And what if I don’t?" I asked, my voice steady but cold.
His anger deepened, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone. "Lily, don’t make me angry."
In the past, I would’ve shrunk under that threat. I used to fear his anger, the way it could twist and control me. But not anymore. Not now. He didn’t deserve that power over me anymore. Angry or not, he had already done the worst—he deserved to face the consequences.