The following morning, Charlie woke up feeling an overwhelming sense of liberation. The weight of his stepmother's cruelty and his stepbrother's torment no longer shackled him. He took pleasure in the newfound freedom, no longer fearing their maltreatment or feeling like a specimen of their cruelty. With each breath, he embraced the freedom to be himself, unapologetically.
As he stretched out triumphantly, a dramatic sound escaping his lips, Charlie basked in the sense of empowerment. But he quickly suppressed his elation, knowing that Chloe was still facing her own struggles. The smile faded from his lips as he thought of her, a reminder that his journey was intertwined with hers.
With determination in his stride, Charlie bathed and prepared for the day ahead. He descended the stairs with a sense of purpose, the familiar dread of encountering his stepmother and stepbrother now replaced with a steely resolve. He was on his way to the hospital, driven by the promise he had made to Chloe.
However, as he reached for the doorknob, his path was obstructed by Steve. Charlie's eyebrows raised in surprise, his eyes meeting Steve's with a mixture of curiosity and indifference. Without paying much heed to Steve's presence, he stretched out his hand for the doorknob, eager to carry on with his plans.
Steve's voice broke through the silence, his question loaded with skepticism. "Where are you going?" Charlie's response was brisk and dismissive, his patience thinning. "Get out of my way," he urged, his focus on his goal of leaving the house and fulfilling his promise.
Steve yielded to Charlie's request, stepping aside as Charlie attempted to proceed. Just as Charlie's hand reached for the doorknob, he encountered an unexpected obstacle. The door remained steadfast, as if locked from the other side. Charlie's confusion deepened when he realized that Steve held the keys in his hand.
Facing Steve with a mixture of determination and exasperation, Charlie's voice was polite yet urgent. "Please give me the key. I really have to go out." However, Steve's intentions were far from cooperative. He taunted Charlie, holding the keys just out of his reach. "Here, if you want it, come and get it," he sneered, fueling Charlie's frustration. As Charlie advanced, Steve continued to play his game, keeping the keys just out of Charlie's reach. "Yes, that's it princess. If you want it come and get it".
With each step forward, Steve continued to bait Charlie with the keys, goading him with provocation. Charlie's patience wore thin, his efforts to maintain composure wavering. "Please, I don't want to go wild on you. Just give me the keys," Charlie requested, his tone tinged with irritation.
Steve's defiance persisted, further stoking Charlie's anger. Unable to tolerate the situation any longer, Charlie's temper flared. He lunged forward, pushing Steve to the ground with a determined force. Amid the chaos, Charlie tussled with the keys, his resolve unwavering.
As the door finally unlocked, Charlie shot a pointed look back at Steve. His voice carried a mixture of sternness and authority. "Next time you try this, make sure you're strong enough." With those words hanging in the air, Charlie shut the door behind him leaving Steve on the floor and Madam Gizel emerging from her room, drawn by the commotion.
Madam Gizel surveyed the scene in disbelief, her plan to thwart Charlie thwarted. She muttered in frustration, chastising Steve for his inability to carry out her intentions. "Oh, what could you possibly do for me without messing things up? You're a year older than him, yet he's still stronger than you. You're so lazy, I should have done it myself."
"Steve, disheartened, began to retreat to his room, Madam Gizel's words echoing in his ears. As he left, she called out after him, attempting to mend the rift she had caused. The exchange created a comical effect, underscoring the absurdity of the situation
Charlie who was now outside,took a moment to collect himself. He ran a hand through his hair, his tense expression giving way to a triumphant smile. With newfound confidence and determination, he walked purposefully towards the hospital. Each step was a testament to his resolve, an unspoken declaration that he would not be confined any longer.
And with that, the chapter ends, leaving Charlie on the cusp of a new journey, driven by his determination to face whatever challenges lie ahead.