Chapter 2 - The Blocked Door
I stared at the hunting knife in my brother’s hand, feeling the last shred of my love for this family turn to ash.
"Mark, put that away right now," I warned, my voice shaking with a rage I had never felt before.
Mark nervously shifted his weight, glancing at our father for approval.
"We just need to calm down and handle this privately," Mark stammered, keeping the blade pointed toward the floor.
Mia let out a whimpering cry, clutching her swollen knee tighter against her chest.
"Daddy, it hurts so bad," she sobbed.
I scooped her up into my arms, being incredibly careful not to let her injured leg dangle.
"Move away from the door, Dad," I said, looking directly into my father's eyes.
My father crossed his arms, standing his ground like a stubborn child.
"You are overreacting, David, just like you always do," he sneered.
"Caroline was just trying to toughen the kid up a little bit."
Doctor Caldwell dialed a number on his phone without breaking eye contact with my father.
"Yes, I need police and paramedics at this address immediately," Doctor Caldwell said into the receiver.
My mother let out a hysterical shriek and dropped her plate of cake on the floor.
"You called the police on us?" she screamed, grabbing her hair in panic.
"My son is a respected businessman, you can't do this to him!"
Caroline’s fake confidence finally shattered.
She dropped her wine glass, sending shards of crystal flying across the dining room floor.
"I didn't mean to hurt her, I just wanted to see if she was faking it!" Caroline cried, her voice cracking.
"You pulled the brace off a child who recently had reconstructive surgery," Doctor Caldwell stated coldly.
Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder as they approached our quiet suburban street.
My father looked panicked and grabbed Mark by the shoulder.
"Hide the knife, you idiot, get it out of sight!" my father hissed.
Mark scrambled toward the kitchen, shoving the blade into a drawer just as heavy pounding echoed on the front door.
"Police department, open up!" a deep voice shouted from outside.
My father quickly unlocked the door and threw it open, instantly transforming his face into a mask of pure terror.
"Officers, thank God you are here!" my father cried out.
Two armed police officers stepped into the entryway, their hands resting cautiously on their weapons.
Caroline threw herself onto the floor, tears streaming down her face as she pointed a shaking finger directly at me.
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"Arrest him!" Caroline screamed hysterically.
"My brother just went crazy and broke his own daughter's leg!"
