My eyes grew wide.
Shock flickered into something unreadable.
My father's jaw tightened, and the guard beside him shifted, suddenly on alert.
The air between all of us had changed.
I was speechless. I looked at Jaycen, but he wasn't looking at me—he was locked on my father.
My father, who looked not only angry but shaken. Even though he had never treated me well… hearing someone insult him still made me freeze. I didn't know whether to support him or stay quiet.
I just sat there. No movement.
Like God Himself had glued me to the chair.
"STAND UP RIGHT NOW, SELAH!" my father yelled.
But I still didn't move.
Oh Lord… what are You planning? I trust You, but please… don't let this become a war with my father.
Jaycen glanced at me, then at him.
"You know, Brooke… you're really a monster. Worse than me—well, almost."
He chuckled darkly.
I blinked. Worse than him? What does that even mean?
My father's eye twitched. Rage. Confusion. Fear.
I couldn't tell which emotion was winning.
Jaycen looked at me, and I gave him a confused look.
A slight smile pulled at his lips.
"Selah, let me ask you something… and I need you to be very honest with me."
That tone—I need you to be honest—felt heavy. Serious.
Like he already knew something and was just waiting for confirmation.
"Tell him the truth, Selah," the Holy Spirit whispered again.
My eyes widened.
Lord… if You're thinking of marrying me off to this man, please—no. He's a gangster. A mafia leader. He burned three men and a woman alive—over money. Noooo.
I tried to ignore the whisper.
"How long has your father hurt you?" Jaycen asked.
The question hit me like a falling brick.
How does he know?
How much does he know?
I looked at my father.
He gave me the warning—the look that meant don't you dare.
"I… I… uhmm… well… I'm… I'm not sure."
The words shook out of my mouth.
Oh Lord, why put me in this position? I was holding back tears with everything in me.
Memories flashed—every blow, every harsh word, every confinement—but somehow God had kept me spiritually whole.
Jaycen didn't buy my answer.
"You're not sure," he said quietly, though his voice somehow filled the room.
"Alright. Spiker—take him down and cut his toes. Make sure he eats it."
"WHAT?!" my father shouted.
Before he could run, Spiker grabbed him, wrestling him to the floor. Two more men appeared from nowhere to help restrain him.
"Please, no!" I screamed.
I looked at Jaycen.
His face was blank. Emotionless.
"You have five seconds before they cut it off."
Five… seconds?!
Why was he doing this?
"Please don't do it, please—please," I screamed, standing to my feet.
"Three… two—"
"ALRIGHT, I'LL TALK! JUST STOP!"
The room fell silent.
All eyes were on me—except my father's, who was pinned to the ground.
"He hits me… tells me I'm worthless… makes me feel dead.
He pressures me day and night. I was never allowed to be free.
He would lock me inside for days, just to 'teach me a lesson.
Never celebrated birthday, no hugs or comfort yet I had them
The night you saw me—he sent me to represent him at one of his churches.
He left me by the roadside because I didn't buy gifts for the congregation.
I had to take an Uber, and… we got into an accident."
Tears streamed freely now. My breath shook violently.
Jaycen didn't look surprised.
Not shocked.
Just unreadable.
"Sit down, Selah," he said quietly.
I didnt want to sit down, but I did. The garden was what was keeping me at peace and somehow him.
He took my hand and gently rubbed it.
I was too stunned to react.
I was getting at ease a little, I didn't know why, but I was
"Get him up," he ordered.
His men lifted my father, who was struggling wildly.
"I was trying to build you, you idiot!" my father yelled at me.
"DO YOU THINK YOU'RE SAFE? HYPOCRITE CHRISTIAN! YOU'RE JUST LIKE ME—NOTHING BUT A LYING WOMAN!"
The words pierced straight through me.
My hands trembled instantly.
My legs felt weak.
My heart ached so fast I could barely breathe.
I'm not a hypocrite… I'm a child of God.
I repeated it in my mind as tears fell.
I'm a good daughter. What did I do wrong?
I felt my head spinning, I decided to stand up but I couldn't I harshly movedy hand from his, and stood up.
Oh Lord, panic attack.
I fell on the ground .
Jaycen quickly rushed to my side, but I didn't move.
My breathing sped up.
My chest tightened.
My mind drifted far away.
"Selah," Jaycen called softly.
I heard him… but I couldn't respond.
My breath kept shortening.
The room blurred.
I turned to him, a little bit clear, fear in my heart.
Everything went cold.
And I blacked out.