CHAPTER 54: the choice

[this chapter contains violence so please be warned if you're easily triggered by that stuff. i've put a clear warning in so don't comment stuff on my chapter saying i shouldn't put things like that because i put a warning. if you don't like it just don't read it.]

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"The person I'm going to save is..." there was a long pause like in the movies except this was very much real and there was no way of turning back from the reality of the situation. By now, my eyes had fully blurred and the only way to stop it was blinking a few times a second, which made them run down my cheeks,

"...dad." Owen looked up at me surprised about my choice as my jaw clenched when my eyes met his. He had a broken expression in his eyes, mixed with betrayal. I knew he was going to be pissed, but I knew I needed to do this.

"No, Brielle!" Michael shouted as Liam just released a loud chuckle before the other men in the room untied us from our places. I held my wrists in my hands, checking the skin over before I turned to the others, sniffling slightly, "Brie..."

"Looks like you weren't the most important man in her life after all, Bowers," Liam sneered as he circled all of us. His grin soon disappeared as he got his gun out from his holster. What replaced it was more sinister, a frown which was more menacing, "it's tough to choose someone who you once looked up to before they stabbed you in the back. You all have five minutes. Get the hell out of my sight."

"You guys have to go," I croaked out, my eyes averting to Owen quickly, "all of you. Please. All of you run! Get out of here! J-Just go!"

Darren and Jaxon tried to drag Owen out, but his eyes were glued to me the whole time. There was a glossy sheen in them as he struggled out of their grip. I mouthed 'sorry' to him as a sob escaped my lips. It heart my heart to see him so betrayed by my actions, but it was for the best. For both of us. Cassidy was also reluctant to leave me behind because as my best friend, she didn't want me to get hurt. Michael led her out and followed as I nodded at her. I tried to control my breathing as I turned back to my father.

It was the same.

There was that same smirk written all over his face. I was too busy staring at that stupid grin on his face and wanting to punch him so badly, I didn't notice Liam's father entering the room. More tears just ran down my already wet cheeks as we were both taken out of the confines and into the same area as each other. I cowered in front of him crying my eyes out as he just sternly stared down at me.

There was a sense of deja vu in which I felt that mom was once in a similar position as me. At dad's feet as he sucked that success and happiness out of her for the sake of himself.

I wanted to protect them. My friends. They've done nothing wrong and because of me, my father could've run loose and abused them just as much as he did to mom. I couldn't bear to let anyone else get hurt. I already hurt Jordan and Mom so I can't let the others down.

The sudden noise of a cold click stopped my crying in an instance. There was no mistake about it. That was a gun and even my heavy breathing couldn't cover that noise up. I let out shocked shaky breaths as I looked up to see Oscar cocking a gun to my dad. He was completely unaware of what was happening, his focus completely on me.

"No, stop it," I whispered, shaking my head as Liam shook his head in response to his father's actions. Something told me that this wasn't part of the plan because now Liam was glaring at his dad and trying to retrieve the gun from his grip.

There were a few groans as Oscar hit his son on the cheek, knocking him to the side as he cocked his gun at my father once again. I looked up at my dad in shock as he reached forward for me just as a loud bang sounded in the room. I gasped at the noise, and felt dad's body limping forward before fully leaning into me. My eyes were staring at Oscar with pure fear as I pushed dad back. He fell onto the cold ground and I crouched down, looking over my shaking hands to see red blood on my fingers. A part of dad's shirt—right near his heart—was turning red due to the bullet wound bleeding even more.

I felt sick like I was about to throw up as the tears blurred my vision once again. I quickly checked over dad to see if he was still breathing; I needed to know if he was still fucking alive. I laid my head on his chest, checking for breathing or a heartbeat—just anything. No, no, he can't die! Tears fell down my cheeks as I sobbed out, gripping strands of my hair in my fingers. I didn't care if I had blood everywhere on me because everything fucking hurt so much. My sobs echoed through the room as I yelled out in pain, my shouting coming out in pure anguish and heartache.

"Dad, you weren't meant to kill him. That's not part of the plan—what the fu—" Liam spoke, clutching his jaw as his father silenced him.

"No, be quiet. Let's leave her. She can find her own way out." my breathing was shaky as I clutched onto the material of my dad's shirt, letting out small whimpers. I didn't want it to end this way and I thought I could sort it out, but fuck, I can't. It's his blood on my hands that is scarring me, knowing how much pain it's putting me through even after how much pain he put me through. I have to get out of here. I can't lose anything else. My friends. I-I have to find them. Fuck, I have to go.

I pulled myself away, still sobbing a bit and wiped my hands on my shirt before standing up. My head spun with memories and trauma as I tried to stand straight. The door was open and I took my chance, sprinting out of the room and down the steps of the house. It was difficult running down the stairs because of my uncontrollable crying that didn't cease. I ran into the wall or the banister a few times, but continued down the stairs until I ran through the front door and a few cars were there.

I ran up to one and yanked the door open, hoping the keys were still in it and sighing shakily as I noticed they did before turning the key in its place, shutting the door and putting my seat belt on. The sooner I left this hellhole, the sooner I can fucking explain this all to Owen and the others. I drove out and down the hill before reaching the main road. This gave me the chance to calm myself down from hysterics, but traces of his blood were still on my fingers.

Regardless, I checked my face in the mirror before wiping at my damp cheeks. That piece of lying shit, I thought. He lied to me and shot my father—. I clutched my forehead for a second before gritting my teeth. Too many thoughts played in my head over today's events as my heart pounded in my chest. 

It felt like and eternity until I got back to gates of the gang compound. Just in case Oscar could end up tracking us, I drover away once again, past the compound and onto a deserted road. I quickly got out of the car and used the back way to get into the main hall where it was empty. My breathing quickened further as I continued my walk in, spinning around yet no one came.

"Owen, Jaxon, Cass! Where are you guys—" I stopped for a second, trying to stop myself from breaking down once again as a flashback of what happened appeared in my mind. So...much...blood, "p-please, please, I need help—help me. Fuck!"

I fell forward on my knees and sobbed loudly. My dad was actually dead and soon, the guilt was settling in. Even if he treated me like shit, I can't excuse the fact that he was once a good dad to me and the fact mom used to love him more than anything in the world. Oscar...shot...him. I clutched at my head as voices around me brought me out of my phase.

"Oh my god, Brielle, honey. What's wrong—why do you have blood on you? Honey, shhh, shhh, shhh. It's okay." my mother had come to me and brought me in with a hug. Her hands were shaking like mine, but not as much, "Alfonso, Kiara! It's Brielle!"

"What's going on—oh my lord," Kiara exclaimed as she covered her mouth with her hand in shock. Alfonso followed after her and slowly eyes the scene in front of him. My mother was hugging the life out of me whilst panicking because she didn't know what was wrong or what had happened, "how about we get her cleaned up, okay?"

My mother rocked my head as her panic began to cease. She placed a soft kiss on my head as she helped me stand on my feet. Her arm wrapped around my shoulders as she led me out and into the house we stayed at.

I sat down on the couch as I heard mom preparing a bath for me, but I couldn't shake the thought—the nightmare. It was there in my mind, incredibly vivid. Dad's blood pouring into my hands as Oscar had that dirty smirk written all over his face.

A few minutes later, mom came downstairs with a wary look on her face. She held a towel and some fresh clothes for me to wear in her hands. I watched with a blank gaze as she placed it down upon the coffee table. She gave a small smile which I tried to return despite how shit I was feeling.

"I've run a bath for you, okay? Have a nice clean, put on some fresh clothes and come downstairs and we'll have a chat," she spoke softly before sitting next to me. I just nodded in response before standing up, leaving the room with my stuff.

I didn't know how I was going to break it mom. I had no idea she was going to be there at all and she would've heard it from someone else. How does one tell their mother that oneself witnessed the man she loved get shot? Every step I took was a heavy one, the burden of dad weighing heavily upon my shoulders. I didn't know how to feel to be honest.

On one hand, of course I'm upset that dad's dead. People never knew him the way I knew him; people never knew him the way mom knew him, loved him, cared for him with her whole heart. On the other hand, he hurt the woman who loved him, used me against her, dealt with people like Oscar and even almost got his family killed. Me or mom could've died in the hands of Oscar and that was because of dad's reckless actions, but if I did have a chance to make sure he never did it again then I would've taken it any way I could.

That deal with Liam could've fixed it all. After all, I was nothing but a distraction to Owen, slowly but surely hurting him the same way I hurt Jordan without realising. I could've changed dad, made him into a better person and make a bad situation into a good one like an opportunity.

But Oscar walked in there like he was the devil himself and showed no remorse whatsoever as he shot my dad in front of my very eyes. He was the devil who came in to take their victims where they belonged. My dad was his latest victim and looking back on the situation, I wish I could've killed him there and there.

Because thanks to him, I was dead inside, nothing but raw emotion filling my chest. It was a burning sensation that wouldn't go away.

I entered the bathroom and closed the door behind me before locking it. I stripped out of my clothes and slowly got into the tub and sitting down in it. The water touched my skin like a comforting blanket, which numbed the pain until it was bearable.

I laid my head back against the tub and shut my eyes when a sudden flashback came back. The bang of a gun going off and dad lying on the cold ground, eyes wide as blood poured out of a wound on his chest. My eyes opened suddenly as I released a few shaky and quick breaths.

Everything felt like a nightmare and no matter what I did, the guilt was slowly causing me to succumb to it. I couldn't let that happen though. If I caved in and let the guilt take over, I'd end up going mad like my father.

After I scrubbed the blood off me as well as the dirt, I got out and covered myself with my towel before walking over to the mirror. My fingers gripped the sides of the sink as I stared at my reflection. My eyes were still puffy and red from the tears, but it was clearing up now.

I dried myself off and put my panties and bra on, followed by my leggings and hoodie. Mom knew exactly what comfort clothing was, I thought as I sighed to myself. Sometimes, you just have to do what you have to do. She was going to find out sooner.

As I opened the door, I could hear voices downstairs. It wasn't too clear like it was meant to be hushed, but the familiar deep voice of Owen made my mouth clamp shut as I slowly headed out, tiptoeing across the floor to the top of the stairs. It seemed terrible that I was listening to a private conversation, but I couldn't resist.

"She's upstairs in the bath—oh, you should've seen her. She had blood all over her hands and I could tell—I could just tell something traumatic happened there. As her mother, it's my job to take care of her so you have to tell me what happened. As much as you know." I heard my mother speak. A sigh caught my attention because it sounded like Jaxon. I could only imagine the look on his face.

"Basically, Brielle had to pick between her dad and Owen. If she picked one, that person is safe, but the other had five minutes to run before the gang when after them. She...uhm...she—"

"She chose her dad." Owen's voice was sharp like knives through the air. He was pissed off and I knew it. I gulped because I knew why. If it ever came to a choice, I would've always picked Owen, stood up for myself and picked what I knew was right. Picking dad was probably a kick in the teeth for him because it put him and me in danger.

"Owen..." Jaxon started as I could sense Owen's disappointed face. I could almost sense the tension in the room as I walked down the steps, each one ever so slowly before I walked into the living room. Everyone's faces turned to look at me and when I met Owen's icy gaze, I gulped once again.

"Love, sit down. Here's some coffee, okay? You drink that," my mother spoke as she guided me to a spot on the couch and handed me a mug of coffee. I took a sip as everyone's eyes lingered on me sympathy, "right you get comfortable and then I'll just ask a few questions, okay."

We all settled into a comfortable silence as I snacked on some biscuits. The whole time, I couldn't imagine what everyone knew. I would have to tell mom what happened whilst I was there. Every. Single. Detail. Owen and Jaxon probably didn't know although they might find out soon enough.

"Right, love, please tell me what happened," mom whispered and I turned to look at her. She was staring at me in worry, "I can't make anything better unless you tell me what's going on. You look fucking terrified."

That's because I was.

As I looked up, everyone was staring at me expectantly. Sometimes it's better to just get it over and done with rather than leave it. I gulped once again, my throat tightening as I released a few shaky breaths. Alfonso was sat in the armchair with a grave look on his face, Kiara on his lap, brows furrowed together slightly in worry. Owen sat down across me, his brother next to him whilst my mother sat next to me and rubbed my back.

"A-After I picked dad, I told the others to get out of there otherwise they'd get hurt. It was stupid decision, but I thought dad got himself into this mess and as his daughter, I have to help him. I-I wasn't thinking—I picked him and all because I didn't want anyone else to get hurt and I thought this was an opportunity. Maybe dad would change for me—"

"If he wanted to change for you, he would never have put you through that shit in the first place," Owen snarled quietly, his eyes piercing at me as he folded his arms over his chest. Alfonso quickly quietened him down as I continued.

"I-I then heard the click of a gun behind dad a-and Oscar was there—I hadn't even realised he came in because I was so busy crying, but I knew Liam didn't know this was supposed to happen." I paused as the bang of the gun echoed through my head again and seeing dad's stone cold face had me tearing up. I pressed my lips together as a tear escaped my eye.

That was what broke me in the end as a sob racked through me. I hid my face in my hands as my mother hugged me to her. I could tell she was getting emotional as well just seeing me cry because her hands were shaking as she held. Slowly, I pulled back, another tear trailing down my cheek when I spoke.

"I-It was like he didn't fucking care—he just s-shot him on the spot and no matter how hard I try, I can't get the scene out of my head. T-That bang—the blood—everything and even after all the shit he put me through—after what he put you through, I can't help but feel so sad that he's dead." I felt a tear land on my head and a small sob come from mom's mouth.

Jaxon's hands formed into fists as his jaw clenched. The guy never liked seeing any of his friends upset so this was hard for him to watch. Alfonso held his hand over his mouth as he comforted Kiara. I couldn't bear to look at Owen because I betrayed him. I chose to save my own father, someone who screwed up my life over the man I loved.

When I looked up, Owen stood up and he walked out of the room. I watched him leave, my mother clinging onto me as we all sat there like emotional wrecks.

It wasn't long until Jaxon left with Alfonso before returning to collect Kiara. Me and mom just sat there in the comfort of each other. A few hours later and she cradled my head to her, placing a few kisses on my head. My head was throbbing with a headache as the last of my tears dried up. Everything inside me was numb, but the weight upon my shoulders was still there. I highly doubt it was going to go away any time soon. 

My mother had me eat a meal before heading up to bed in which she tucked me in just as she had done when I was a child. She placed a delicate kiss on my forehead before giving a small supportive smile my way. I watched her leave my room, closing the door slightly as she left.

How was I going to be able to face Owen tomorrow? My stuff was still at his house and not to mention Michael and Cassidy. What were they going to think? Christmas had taken an unexpected turn of events, but I definitely knew I wouldn't be able to enjoy it this year.

END OF CHAPTER 54

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[if you're like me and you also have no idea what just happened, say 'i' because even if i know what's going to happen, it still doesn't stop me from being as surprised as anyone else. let me know your thoughts...

do you think Brielle's choice was right?

do you think Owen's mad at her and if so why?

also, in my country (UK), they're letting