Chapter 9 " If you're decorating my room , why would you buy stuff you like and want ? " " What ? " " You wanted them . You liked them . " " But you used my name as an excuse , and in the end , all this stuff would just end up in your hands anyway . " " And I'd still have to thank you for it , right ? " " If I didn't want to give them to you , they'd help you take them . " Td get nothing and still be called ungrateful , punished , even beaten . " " You'd get everything you wanted and still act like you were wronged and shortchanged , making them feel sorry for you . " They'd probably secretly make it up to you behind my back , and then you'd get double everything . " Hearing my words , Dad's face went cold . He strode toward me and even raised his hand . But before his slap could land , I slapped Layla first . SLAP ! Michael Williams ! " You dare to touch me ?! You better make sure you kill me . " Otherwise , I'll beat your precious daughter to death . " That threat worked better than anything else on him . Probably because I'd done so much work helping Grandma , I was taller than Layla and stronger too . in a real fight , she wouldn't stand a chance . Michael Williams's hand shook as he lowered it . The way he looked at me was filled with rage and even ... hatred. Chloe , you're really ... really beyond help . " " What did your sister ever do to you ? Why are you assuming the worst about her ? " And you even hit her ! " " Apologize to her ! " How laughable - he actually knew what " assuming the worst " meant . Layla covered her face , crying her heart out . I'd been home for less than an hour . She'd already cried twice " Assuming the worst ? So she didn't use my name as an excuse to buy herself stuff while playing victim ? " " So those dolls are really mine and won't get taken away ? " " Who's taking your stuff ? Be reasonable ! " Dad's voice was loud and obviously getting impatient . " Fine . " 22:25 From ' Beloved Daughter ' to ' Dead Burden ' ? Now Watch Your ' Perfect Family ' BURNI 36.7 % Chapter 9 I went to the kitchen and found scissors . Just like they'd done to my teddy bear years ago , I cut up all six dolls and threw them in the trash . " Now she can't take these away . I guess I shouldn't have said she bought them for herself . " " Sorry , Layla . I was wrong about you . " Layla looked at the dolls in the trash and wailed louder than when I'd slapped her . She turned and ran off again . Dad went after her . " Michael Williams . " I called out to stop him , still holding the last doll's head . " Since you said these dolls weren't bought for your precious little Layla , you definitely won't go buy them back after I destroyed them , right ? " " If you dare go behind my back and buy these back to comfort her , that proves I was right . " That proves I wasn't assuming the worst about her . You were wrong , and you owe me an apology . " But his response was , " You're completely insane . " nsane ? f not wanting to be used , not wanting to swallow injustice and take it lying down made me insane- Then I'd keep being insane .