Chapter 3: The Truth Behind the Kindness
Chapter 3: The Truth Behind the Kindness
Megan finally told him everything.
His mother had insisted she needed to "prepare for motherhood."
She criticized everything Megan did.
The way she walked.
The way she ate.
The way she rested.
When Megan's pregnancy became more difficult, the visits became crueler.
"If you don't keep moving," she would say, "you'll become lazy."
Despite Megan's doctor's instructions to rest because of complications, Jake's mother repeatedly forced her to stand, clean, and walk through the apartment.
Several times, she grabbed Megan by the arms and legs when Megan tried to sit down.
The bruises came from those moments.
The fear came from the threats.
"If you tell Jake," she warned, "he'll believe me."
"He trusts his mother."
Jake felt sick.
"I never knew."
Megan looked away.
"I tried to tell you."
"But every time..."
"...she had already convinced you I was hiding something."
At that moment, Jake remembered.
Every accusation.
Every phone call.
Every doubt his mother had carefully planted.
May you like
Not because she knew the truth.
Because she was creating the lie.
