Page 51 of Uprising

But why would we still be here if he was? Why would we both be suffering like this? That thought cuts through me and I hang my head as more tears fall.

Itisa trick.

It has to be.

Roman isn’t alive. He’s not coming. No one is coming.

If I want to fight this, if I want this to end then I’ve only got myself to do it.

And it has to ends. Somehow, someway I have to get us out, because Lara cannot continue living like this.

And in truth, I don’t think I can either.

Rose

I’m sat with Lara, eating breakfast, or at least trying to.

She picks at her food. Clearly a habit she’s learnt from me.

I try to encourage her, try to get her to take just one more mouthful. She doesn’t looks starving, mercifully, she doesn’t look sick, but I know she’s not eating as much as her body needs and with the stress of this, it is going to catch up to her. It’s just a matter of when.

“Just one more mouthful.” I half plead.

It’s pineapple and yoghurt. Her favourite. Or at least it used to be.

“If the brat doesn’t want to eat then leave her to it.” Darius snaps.

We both tense, both unaware that he was close to us, unaware he’d even come into the room.

Lara looks up at me, and her eyes fill with tears. But as if in defiance she picks up her spoon and scoops a piece of fruit onto it before putting it in her mouth.

My lips curl before I can stop them.

“Good girl.” I say reaching out and squeezing her arm. It’s all I can do now, the only fight I have, and it feels as pathetic as it is.

“Send the child to her room.” My mother says and I stiffen more.

She’s here? My head turns and I narrow my eyes. The pair of them are stood, in the double archway watching us like we’re the criminals.

“Who is that lady mummy?” Lara asks so quietly.

“That’s your grandma.” I say back.

“She’s no granddaughter of mine.” My mother snarls. “Not with who her father is.”

My fists clench, I swear I’m so close to hurling the contents of the bowl right at her perfectly done up face.

“Go to your room.” Darius says staring at Lara. “Your tutor will be here soon so you can wait there.”

Lara drops her head, slumps her shoulders, and slowly gets down from her seat. On instinct I pull her back, pull her into my arms and hug her so tightly. I won’t let them break her the way they’re breaking me.

I’ll take whatever punishment they delve out right now because Lara’s wellbeing is worth it.

“I love you.” I whisper into her ear. “I love you so much. And Daddy loved you too.”

She blinks, her eyes filling with tears but then Darius is there wrenching us apart.

“Stop pandering to her all the time.” He says before giving her enough of a shove to be gone.