Chapter 5 — The Night She Locked Her Door

Tony Parker’s anger was no longer something new in the Miller house. It had become part of their days. He shouted when he was drunk, shouted when he was sober, and shouted even when there was silence. Linda had stopped answering back. She had learned that silence hurt less than words. But Sofia was not like her mother. Every time she saw her mother’s tears, something inside her broke. She was tired of pretending that everything was fine.

One evening, Tony came home late. He had been drinking. His shirt was open and his voice was louder than usual. Linda was sitting on the couch, looking scared. Sofia was in her room, reading. When Tony entered, he threw his jacket on the chair and shouted, “You think I don’t see how you both look at me? You think I’m stupid?” Linda stood up slowly. “Tony, please don’t start again.” He stepped closer. “You don’t love me. You still live for your daughter.”

Sofia came out of her room. Her voice was calm but strong. “Stop yelling at her.” Tony turned and looked at her. His eyes were full of anger and something darker. “Don’t speak to me like that, Sofia,” he said. “You have no idea what’s between us.” Sofia said coldly, “I see enough.” Linda begged softly, “Please, both of you, stop.” But it was too late.

Tony walked toward Sofia and said, “You’re the reason your mother doesn’t respect me.” Sofia stood still. “No, I’m the reason she’s still standing.” Tony laughed loudly. “You think you’re brave. But remember, you live in my house now.” Sofia replied firmly, “This is not your house. You can’t buy respect.” His face changed. He raised his hand as if he might hit her, but stopped when Linda screamed, “Tony, no!” He dropped his hand and walked away to his room, slamming the door behind him.

Linda sat down and cried quietly. Sofia hugged her. “Mom, please, you have to leave him.” Linda whispered, “Where will I go? What will people say?” Sofia said, “People don’t live our pain. We do. And I can’t watch you suffer anymore.” Linda looked down. “Maybe he will change.” Sofia shook her head. “He won’t. Men like him never do.”

The next few days were heavy. Tony didn’t talk much. But when he did, his words cut deep. He insulted Linda for small things. “You can’t even cook properly,” he said once. Linda stayed quiet. Sofia wanted to defend her mother, but Linda held her hand under the table to stop her. After dinner, Sofia said, “Mom, why don’t you answer him?” Linda said weakly, “Because I don’t have the strength left.”

One night, everything went too far. Tony came home after midnight. He was drunk again. Linda was asleep. Sofia was watching TV quietly. When she saw him enter, she stood up. “You should sleep, Tony,” she said calmly. He smiled strangely. “You care about me now?” Sofia stepped back. “No, I care about peace in this house.” He came closer. “You look like your mother when she was young,” he said. Sofia froze. “Don’t say that.” He took another step. “Why not? You both are beautiful.”

Sofia’s heart was beating fast. She said firmly, “Stop. Go to your room.” He reached for her hand. “Relax, I just want to talk,” he said softly, but his eyes told another story. Sofia pulled her hand away and shouted, “Don’t touch me!” Her voice was loud enough to wake Linda. Linda came out, shocked. “What’s happening?” she asked. Tony turned quickly and said, “Your daughter is crazy! She’s lying!” Sofia shouted, “He tried to touch me, Mom!” Linda looked at both of them, confused and shaking. “Tony, tell me she’s lying,” she said. Tony shouted back, “She is! She wants to ruin me because she hates me.”

Sofia cried. “Mom, please believe me. You know I never lie.” Linda’s lips trembled. She wanted to believe her daughter, but her mind was lost. For a few seconds, the room was silent. Then Tony said coldly, “You can choose. Me or your daughter.” That line broke something inside Linda. She looked at him and said softly, “No one asks a mother to choose between her child and her mistake.”

Tony laughed bitterly. “You’ll regret this,” he said and walked out of the house. The door closed hard behind him. Linda dropped to the floor and cried uncontrollably. Sofia knelt beside her, holding her tightly. “I’m sorry, Mom. I should have told you before.” Linda whispered, “No, my child. I should have listened earlier.” They cried together until their tears ran dry.

The next morning, Linda called the police. She finally spoke the truth. Tony was gone when they arrived, but the report was written. Linda told them, “He’s not safe for us.” The officer nodded and said, “You did the right thing.” For the first time in a long time, Linda felt free — but broken.

That night, Sofia locked her room door again. She sat on her bed, thinking about everything that had happened. She whispered to herself, “It’s over now. He can’t hurt us again.” But in her heart, she knew that wounds of fear don’t heal in one night.

Outside, the world slept peacefully. Inside, two women sat in silence, holding each other, learning once again how to breathe after years of pain.