Chapter 66
- **Gabe's POV**
- It was a good thing she was holding onto me, otherwise I might have gone and shot him right in the heart. I’d known he was a shit father. I’d just wanted to hide it from Evelina because I didn’t want to see her hurt, like she was hurting now. I knew my mate. She loved with all her soul, trying to see the good in everyone. Even a monster like me. It’s why she clung to me despite the fact that I was so filled with hate. But I was also learning that I liked this. I didn’t want to be the monster in her story, not anymore.
- “I…I was forced into testifying. The courts thought, because Papa convinced the courts,” she corrected scathingly. “my mom’s relationship with Kyle was dangerous for my little sister and I,” Evelina spoke, eyes closed as she held onto me. “I was so afraid. But I did what I thought was right. I’d already trapped her once before when I was three. When I believed Papa was the best father in the world. She tried to leave him and I asked her to stay. I refused to leave the only home I’d ever known. When Kyle came into the picture, she was so so happy!” Evelina shuddered in my arms, lost in past memories that still affected her to this day. “Kyle showed all of us what a healthy relationship looked like. I finally had a clear visual of how miserable my mama was with Papa…and how happy she was with Kyle. So I testified and my mama was given custody of my sister and I. She is the best mama, Gabriel.” Her voice broke a little as she spoke. “I’m older now and I just know that she would have left Kyle if she thought she might lose us. Because she took being our mother as the most important responsibility in the world. But back then, I just didn’t want to see her cry anymore!” Her precious tears were soaking through the fabric of my shirt. ”And my papa was upset. Immediately after the trial, he asked me to help him make sure we could all still stay a happy family. He thought he could use me to spy on Kyle. I thought it was because he wanted Mama back. I stood by my mama and told him I didn’t want to.”