Free Love Her Right by Christina Ow Page B

in his path intercepting him and that brought Mac up on his feet. She appreciated that because she wasn’t so sure her father wouldn’t hit her to get her out of his way. “I just want to find out why you hate me so much. Once I get that answer, I promise you’ll never see me again if you don’t want to.”
    His hands clenched into fists as he glared down at her and Jolie unconsciously took a step back. It brought too many bad memories of another time when she was pregnant and his fists clenched in the same way but were swinging.
    Jase was immediately by her side, placing himself between them. “This time Mac’s here to break your neck and I’ll help,” he whispered harshly.
    “What does that mean?” Mac demanded.
    This wasn’t what she wanted, or needed. It was all going wrong.
    “Please, Dad, just answer me that and I swear I’ll never bother you again.” she pleaded close to tears.
    “When James was three and Jake five, I left your father,” her mother blurted out.
    “Shut up, Ana!” her father barked making her jump.
    She spared him a quick glance before she faced Jolie again. “I couldn’t take his controlling me anymore. His jealousy was driving us apart and one day I left. I just needed a break, just a few days to breathe. We got married so young, a year older than you. I never got a chance to find myself.”
    Her father snorted. “Yeah, you found yourself in the arms of another man!”
    Jolie felt her heart jump. Even though his voice and face showed so much rage, she could see the hurt in his eyes. It was amazing to see her father actually possessed a heart that was broken.
    “We talked about this, I thought you understood! I thought you forgave me!” her mother cried.
    “I never did! And this was the product of your adultery!” he bellowed sneering at Jolie.
    Jolie felt the room tilt. She needed to sit down.
    She felt a hard mass press against her back as large arms wrapped around her holding her up on her shaky legs.
    “I’ve got you,” Mac whispered in her ear.
    Jolie’s head dropped back on his chest with relief. They may not be on good terms but she really needed him to tether her to the ground. She couldn’t fall apart, not now.
    “So...does this mean...I’m not his kid either?” Jase asked with a shaky voice.
    Her father placed his hands on his shoulders with a wide smile. “Of course you’re my son! You look just like me, a true Simmons!”
    “But the DNA results showed—”
    “They made a mistake,” he cut Jase off. “You are my son, but she is no daughter of mine.”
    Jolie sagged against Mac. How was it that still hurt as much as it did the first time?
    “Jake, James, is this also the reason why you despise your sister?” Dr. Patel’s calm voice filled the room.
    Jolie looked at her two older brothers as they stared at each other. She chuckled shaking her head. “You should have just asked Jake that question because James does whatever he does.”
    James’ lips twisted in a sneer. “I have a mind of my own. That, always calling me Jake’s puppy is one of the reasons I hate you. And Dad always complained about feeding and clothing a kid that wasn’t his. All those things I never could get I would have had if he wasn’t supporting Mom’s bastard!”
    Mac quickly released her and she had to hold on to him to keep him from ripping her brother’s head off. His words may have hurt but she didn’t want him dead.
    “You fucking asshole, I’m going to kill you!” Mac hissed.
    “And you, Jake?” Jolie’s voice broke as she stared at her eldest brother.
    “Hate wasn’t exactly what I felt for you, but when I found out you were pregnant after my best friend disappeared, I did hate you then. You always had a crazy crush on Mac and I knew you’d try to trap him with a baby and that’s why he took off so quickly. Dad kept saying you were a wh—ah, just like Mom. She abandoned us then came back pregnant and Dad had to recognize you if she was to stay.” He