Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

wanted Valentina to experience that growing up, too. They tried so hard to
steal our identities but I wouldn't let them take our heritage from us.”
I admired that. I loved that about her, in fact, how much her culture meant
to her.
“They punished her regularly. Even when she didn't do anything. I tried
taking the brunt of it, but still, they slapped her around, they locked her in
dark closets, they—“ She let out a small intake of breath. “Marcella was the
worst when it came to punishments. I think she resented us for being there in
the first place. She knew very well what Jack did to me, and she didn’t care
as long as nobody found out. It would have stained the perfect reputation she
had spent so long creating. One time, Valentina was eight, she brought her
upstairs while he… While I was being–” I froze as she started crying
silently.
“She made her watch for ten minutes as my sister cried and said if she
didn't behave, that would be her next. Valentina ended up throwing up all
over the floor.” Sofia sobbed against my chest, hiding her face in shame.
“Somehow, that was the time I felt most humiliated in my life, Maddox. I
hope you don't think less of me, but … if I had the chance to kill them again, I
would.”
“If I’d known all of that while they were still alive, I would have killed
them myself.” There were no other options for people like them. Their
cruelty knew no bounds, and they didn't deserve redemption. “That’s why…
that's why you freaked out when Valentina got her period, isn’t it?” I felt her
nod against me.
“I think your sister knows something is up. When you went to speak to
Valentina, she spoke to me in private. She asked if I had endometriosis, I said
I suspected I did but never got diagnosed. She said Valentina was showing
really early signs of it but that most doctors would say it was too soon to
tell.” She sighed, snuggling closer to me. “Then she asked if… if something
had happened to Valentina.” I froze. Fuck. That would actually explain why
Andrea had been distant since that day.