troubled. “Her husband’s a lawyer, with family
in the court. It’s difficult to interfere.‘
353
The system was rigged against me. Mark was untouchable.
I walked out, the sunlight painful. My phone
rang.
It was a video of Lily being beaten. Bruised, terrified, her lip bleeding.
My nails dug into my palms, blood dripping. I felt dizzy, about to collapse.
Then a mocking voice message from Mark. “You wanted to call the cops? Here’s your evidence. And I have more!”
4
Lily’s cries, Mark’s laughter, echoed in my ears, a nightmare. He didn’t care about the
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card, a lilymшmare. 1IG UIUIT L vaid ak LIL LIIG
police.
My chest felt crushed. I couldn’t face Lily’s
hopeful eyes. She understood, tears welling
- up.
Was there no justice?
Filing for divorce was my only option.
At the courthouse, Mark was waiting. Court officials stood beside him.
He sneered. “Father–in–law, you came.
“Divorce? You think a piece of paper will stop me?”
He tore up the papers, grinding them under his foot.
“Courts protect the rich, not people like you!”
He turned to his uncle, the judge, with a false smile. “Uncle, this man’s crazy. Control him before he causes trouble.‘
<
The judge just glared at me.
I’d lost. I was a recently released felon.
Nobody would help me.
Mark leaned in. “Give up. If you cause more
trouble, your daughter will pay.”
He left me with the shreds of my petition and my despair.
I knelt, tears blurring my vision. The words “Justice and Fairness” mocked me from the ceiling.
I felt weak, useless. I went to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face. My
reflection twisted the same face I’d had when I stabbed that gang leader.
A postcard fell from my pocket. The warden had given it to me: “Reform and start anew.” I ripped it up and threw it away. If the law
<
failed me, I’d take justice into my own hands.
5
Lily was everything to me. No one crossed my line.
A rabid dog attacked her at five; I killed it. A pervert harassed her at eight; I crippled him.
Thugs attacked her at fifteen; I killed their leader and crippled the others.
I’d do anything to protect her.
That night, I secretly moved Lily to my old home in the country. She clung to me, terrified.
I calmed her, stroking her face. “Lily, stay here. Daddy will get justice.”
I posted my release papers online.
#First month out of prison, suddenly feel like
く
killing someone…#
The prison guard called, talking to me for half
an hour. Then, Mark’s taunts appeared in the
