Chapter 52: Roman’s face
In that moment, Patricia loathed herself more than she hated the old woman. The fury clawed at her chest like a beast, wild and violent. She wanted to kill her, truly kill her, even if it meant losing her own life.
"Please!! Take me instead!" Her mother cried out, collapsing to her knees, her voice breaking under the weight of desperation. Patricia’s head jerked at the sound.
In the past, her mother would stand still, silent, distant, whenever the whips struck Patricia’s skin. And most times, she wasn’t even allowed to watch. But this time felt different. This wasn’t silent endurance. This felt like a rebellion...however pitiful. It was as if her mother was clawing at something inside of her.
’Oh, if only one of us had power... just one of us... maybe life would be different.’ She thought.
"Ahh!" Patricia screamed, convulsing as another lash tore through her back. The pain was sharp, but it dulled compared to the sight before her, her mother, trembling on her knees, sobbing, begging. That sight hurt more than any whip ever could.
She was furious, furious that her mother had waited this long to care. Furious that the old woman had reduced her mother to this pathetic, broken thing.
"Please, just let her go!" Her mother wept, clutching her chest. "Beat me instead! I am old... I am worn out..."
And for the first time in 15 years, Patricia saw something unfamiliar in her mother’s eyes.
Was it love?
The old woman raised her hand. The maid stopped mid-swing and stepped back, rigid and wordless behind Patricia.
"This," the old woman said, voice cold and measured, "could have been avoided, if we spoke the same language." She stepped forward, her eyes locking on Patricia’s mother. "Your daughter seems to have forgotten who owns her life. Perhaps... you can help her remember?"