Chapter 2: Cursed Expectations
The car drove off in silence, suffocatingly quiet as Naomi’s mum, dad, and younger sister sat inside. Her sister was absorbed in her phone, watching some series online. The tension hung thick in the air until her father broke the silence.
"Why did you slap her?" he asked, his tone sharp and accusatory.
"It wasn’t my fault! She was acting insane, starting to see things, or even hallucinating!" Her mother spoke her voice rising in indignation.
"Enough!" Mr. Luke snapped. "You’ve made people wonder why my daughter’s cheeks were pink and scratched. You could have waited until we got home to discipline her. People were mumbling, talking. I had to clear the rumors that we weren’t mistreating Naomi. Now you’ve made things worse!"
Naomi hung her head low, her body trembling at the thought of what awaited her once they got home. Her father only cared about his public image.
"We had to leave early! I couldn’t even meet Mr. Zylan because of this ungrateful child. Words are spreading!" he continued, frustration coloring his voice.
Tears welled in Naomi’s eyes. If she had known it would come to this, she would have never stepped outside for fresh air.
Naomi’s lips trembled slightly as her mother turned to her. "I always knew you were bad luck, ever since I gave birth to you. Just look at your hair!" Her mother pointed at Naomi’s golden blonde locks with anger. "Look at your sister—so demure. Just look at you!"
Naomi’s world crumbled around her.