Chapter 11 Awakening

• How dare he strike me in such a barbaric way? I pondered, unable to stem the flow of tears. What if I ring Dad and tell him? He warned Luis on the evening of the dinner; he surely must have known that Luis was prone to violence against women and was cautioning him. Will he stand up for me, or is there truth in Luis's accusation that Mum manipulates him at her whim?
• I must concede, he's not wrong about that; not even Grandfather could sway her once she'd set her mind on sending me to that school. Fortunately, grandpa visited me daily and his gifts and money sweetened the attitude of my teachers; they treated me quite well thereafter and allowed me to read anything I pleased. It wasn't all bad, in the end. They ought to have left me there, rather than concocting this entire wedding charade.
• Could Mum be a gambling addict, and is that why Dad is nearly bankrupt? Is that the crux of it? But considering the amount of jewellery she acquires incessantly, it's no wonder anyone would be left insolvent. Why doesn't Dad impose some restraint on her spending? Should I phone him and tell him, or should I confide in Grandfather? No, Bella! Keep them out of this. Dad threatened Luis that day; I don't want him to harm Luis, and if Grandfather gets wind of this, he'll surely settle scores with them.