Chapter 4: Grinding Down

"Dad."

Caleb suddenly stood up and protested loudly:

"How can that be? How can Aubrey take the punishment?"

Father-in-law sighed, looking troubled.

"I swore I wouldn’t break the family rules. Derek has to play golf with clients tomorrow, Caleb has classes every day, and only you, the junior, are free. Aubrey, what do you think?"

I slowly looked up.

I smiled gently at Father-in-law and replied softly:

"It’s fine, Dad."

Father-in-law nodded in satisfaction.

"You’re a good kid, always putting others at ease. I was right about you from the start."

……

I was grinding herbs alone in the basement when Caleb suddenly appeared at the door, eyes heavy, holding a bowl of steaming mac and cheese.

He held out a steaming bowl of Kraft mac and cheese, the kind with neon-orange sauce. I smiled at him, "Caleb, haven’t you gone to bed yet?"

He didn’t answer.

He set the bowl on the table, lowered his eyes, and took the handle from me, silently pushing it.

I froze, unsure what to do.

He seemed a bit angry, his handsome face clouded with frustration.

After a while, he spoke in a low, tense voice:

"Are you really a doormat? How can someone have no temper at all? Just say you don’t want to—who can really force you?"

For a split second, I wanted to tell him he was right, to stand up and say no. But I swallowed it back, the words burning in my throat. "Caleb, go, please. Dad will be angry if he finds out." I forced a smile and tried to take back the handle.

He wouldn’t let go, still pushing it hard.

I grew anxious.

"You’re not helping me, you’re hurting me! Don’t you remember last time? Just because you helped me and Dad found out, I got two extra punishments."

By the end, my voice was choked with tears.

Caleb stopped, his voice softening:

"Aubrey, Dad wanted you as his daughter-in-law back then only because I was still young, so he had my brother marry you. Otherwise, otherwise..."

He stared at me.

My face flushed. I stammered, "Are you serious right now? Go, quickly, or someone really will find out."

He sighed deeply.

"Aubrey, the housekeeper said you haven’t eaten much today. I made that bowl of mac and cheese myself—remember to eat it."

With that, he turned and strode away.