Sold to Dubai: My Family’s Betrayal
Chapter 5: Divorce Threats and Desperation
My stepsister snapped, calling my dad ignorant and jealous—accusing him of trying to ruin her future.
My stepmother’s face iced over. “What are you trying to do?”
My dad, flustered, saw me come home and pounced on the chance to shift the blame.
“My daughter said it! She told me Dubai is dangerous.”
“Madison, come tell your mom and sister how dangerous it is.” He kept shooting me warning looks.
I knew what he was really afraid of—not Dubai, but the old prince my stepsister had mentioned. My stepmother was still pretty and kept herself up; my dad was terrified someone would steal her. He didn’t dare say it, so he used me as a shield.
I said, “Dubai’s actually safe. It’s developed, has good relations with the U.S. How could there be that many scams?”
My dad’s face darkened. “Nonsense! What about that news story you saw?”
He started to get threatening. I thought for a second, then smiled. “There was a soccer event recently. The Dubai prince spent a fortune to bring the U.S. national team—maybe that’s what you mean?”
My dad lost it and tried to slap me again. But this time, I dodged.
My stepmother and stepsister started yelling at him, calling him jealous. My stepmother even threatened to divorce him.
He nearly got on his knees, begging her not to leave.
“Mom, please don’t divorce my dad—he loves you so much.”
To keep the family together, I apologized over and over.
My stepmother scoffed. “Then let us go to Dubai, and you pay for everything.”
I nodded. “Fine, as long as you don’t leave my dad, I’ll do it.”
My dad quickly said he’d go too, but was instantly shot down.
“Why are you going? Stay home.”
He just stood there, looking lost and broken.
After dinner, he stormed into my room and grabbed me by the neck as soon as he came in. The sun was barely down, but I could see his outline in the window, the neighbor’s American flag fluttering in the yard. His desperation filled the room like a storm. I tasted blood, but didn’t cry out. Nobody calls CPS here; this was just another night on our street.
