Page 71 of Forgive Me Father

What the fuck is going on?

"Is someone else here, Father?" My dad’s voice pierces through the haze of panic, his tone suddenly sharp and suspicious.

"Just—"

The door creaks open, and in a moment of sheer terror, I nudge the binder under Roman’s bed, my heart racing as I lookup to meet my father’s perplexed expression. Our eyes lock, and for a moment, everything else fades away, leaving only the cold dread that grips me.

I quickly tuck my arms behind my back, hiding them from my father’s view just as Roman’s body barrels past him, positioning himself between us like a shield. The tension in the room thickens, crackling in the air like a live wire.

"Eden?" My father’s voice is filled with genuine concern, his confusion evident as his eyes find mine. "What the hell are you doing here—"

"I told you to fucking stay silent and finish your prayer," Roman snaps, his voice harsh and cold, a jarring contrast to the man I thought I knew. He gets in my face, the fury in his eyes something I’ve never seen before, something that makes my blood run cold.

The slap comes out of nowhere, a sharp, stinging pain that explodes across my face. I don’t even have time to process what’s happening before I’m on the floor, my head spinning from the impact.

"Morning lessons," Roman explains, his voice icily calm as he glares at my father.

I dare to lift my head slightly, just enough to see the pleased expression on my father’s face, the satisfaction in his eyes making my skin burn where Roman’s hand struck me. The sting of betrayal runs deeper than the physical pain, cutting into me like a blade.

Crouching down to my level, my father’s eyes rake over me, taking in my disheveled appearance, my arms hidden beneath my body. "I knew you were the right person for the task at handFather," He says with a twisted smile, his hand reaching out to tug at my hair, the gesture both condescending and cruel.

The realization hits me like a tidal wave, the full weight of the situation crashing down around me. The man I trusted, the man who held me with such tenderness only moments ago, has revealed himself as something entirely different—a stranger who’s capable of unspeakable acts.

"You serve in ten minutes. Get your act together," My father hisses, his voice low and menacing. My eyes dart to Roman, whose gaze is locked in a cold, unreadable stare. "Maybe you should have been here last night instead of out sinning with your brother," My father continues, his lips brushing against my ear in a mockery of intimacy. "I sniffed out his bullshit lie in a second. Bible study with friends, right? Sadly, your brother was the one who had to pay for your dishonesty."

He shoves my head forward before straightening and offering Roman a handshake as if nothing had happened. "I’ll leave you to it, Father," He smiles, patting Roman on the back with a camaraderie that made my skin crawl.

The moment the front door clicks shut behind my father, the cold mask Roman had been wearing shatters, replaced by a look of anguish. "Damnit, Eden, I’m so sorry," He begins, his voice filled with regret as he moves to help me up.

But I’m already standing, pulling away from him as I clutch my throbbing cheek. "Who the fuck are you?" I snap, my voice trembling with both anger and fear. "Who were those kids—"

"I had to do that," He interrupts, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "If Zoey’s own parents are willing to put her up, what the hell do you think will happen if your dad thinksyou’re beyond saving? Do you think his focus will stay on Aiden forever—"

"Put her up?" I repeat, disbelief turning my voice sharp. "You mean she’s in that binder? Are you telling me those children werefor sale?"

"This whole town is fucking twisted, Eden," He says, desperation creeping into his tone as he tries to get closer to me, but I shove him away.

"And you’re a part of it?" I scream, tears streaming down my face. "You fucking work with my dad for what? A goddamn religious child trafficking—"

Roman grabs my arms, forcing them down as he gets in my face. "I have taken no part in any of that twisted bastard’s bullshit. Why the hell do you think I was so angry when Zack showed up yesterday? Your father had just given me that fucking binder, Eden!” His voice is strained, desperate. "I’m trying to protect you.”

"You’re just feeding me more of his lies," I yell back, my voice cracking as I get up in his face. "You fucking hit me—"

"What the fuck do you think he would have done if he didn’t see me discipline you?" Roman shouts, his eyes wild with emotion. "He already hurt Aiden—"

Oh God.

Aiden.

Sadly, your brother was the one who had to pay for your dishonesty.

Roman tries to reach for my chin, but I pull away, fury and guilt warring within me. "Get your fucking hands off me," I hiss, stepping back. "You’re just another one of my dad’s sick fucking friends," I sob, watching the pain flash across Roman’s face.

"Eden, I panicked—"

"Fuck you, Roman," I spit, lowering my gaze in disgust. "I will go to the fucking police, you sick bastard! Where are they? Where are the kids—"

"The police know, Eden," He whispers, his voice heavy with resignation as he readjusts his collar. "The police know, and they’ll gladly defend the Church and drag you deeper into their bullshit for being suspicious," He warns.