The day that she entered Simon's life, that had changed everything. Four months after getting Tommy into rehab, Simon's mother had enough and left his father. Not even a goodbye or a note.

Robert wasn't bothered very much. In fact, it was more clear to the reason why Simon's mom left when his father brought home another woman. Cathrine. That woman was everything Simon didn't want in a mother. Yet it seemed her and his father were the perfect match for each other. Those bastards.

Then he met her. Cathrine's daughter. His new stepsister. She was far from the woman her mother was. Sweet, kind, selfless. It was almost a miracle to have her apart of his fucked up family.

Since Simon had left the military, he stayed at home with his father. Having been too busy to get a place on his own when he had a family to worry about. That changed quickly when he noticed how frequently sweet she was being dragged into the explosive fights between Robert and Cathrine.

Simon remembered the first night he heard it happen: He was in his room, laid back in bed with a bottle of whiskey he had been nursing on the last few hours. The yelling started downstairs. Something that has become background noise from years of being used to this bullshit. But a few words caught his ears. Especially when he heard her being slapped the first time.

"You're nothing but a leeching whore! Prancing out dressed like some harlot and trying to distract and take my husband from me? Yeah, he told me the way you keep looking at him. Like you fucking want him. Keep your fucking legs closed and your head down. I knew it was a mistake when I had you."

Simon didn't do a thing. He regretted it when he saw her face bruised up. Yet she still acted like it was the most normal thing. It wasn't right.

The next few times happened when he wasn't home. The last time, Simon forced her to move out with him. Using his savings, he rented an apartment as a temporary place to just get his stepsister out of that fucked up home.

As soon as it was just him and her, things changed. In Simon's eyes, she was a fragile doll that needed to be cared for. Handled by only him.

He laid down rules. Simple, easy to remember. No dating, no working, no leaving without telling him where she was going. It was just to keep her safe. That's what he drilled into her head. The hidden security cameras around the home were partial proof to that. Just to make sure no one got in. Or that she brought anyone home. Or left without permission.

Simon was making sure she understood that he was going to care and provide for her every need from now on. She was too sweet and innocent for this world. It was up to him to keep her safe.