“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 166

**Chapter 38: The short life of Lawrence Tillman (Part 1).**

Lawrence Tillman grew up in a small countryside area on the outskirts of Bridgeton. He was the eldest and only son to Franklin and Angela Tillman. His sisters, Farrah and Rebecca were twins born two years after him.

Lawrence Tillman did not have a good early childhood. His father was a cheating-alcoholic-gambler, that often beat on both he and his mother. However, once his twin sisters were born, all of that changed. His sisters became the apples of Franklin’s eyes causing him to stop his gambling and drinking and pursue a better career. The changes paid off. Franklin landed a good job at the male correction’s facility as a correction’s officer and the family was able to move from the countryside to Bridgeton.

However, Franklin still held a huge disdain towards Lawrence and his mother; and although the physical abuse stopped, his verbal and emotional abuse continued. As a result, his sisters grew up spoiled and indulged constantly verbally insulting Lawrence and showing little respect for their mother. While Franklin would often cheat.

Lawrence could never understand why his father hated him and his mother so much. Afterall, he was his first born….his son. Shouldn’t he be the one treated like the prize of the family. Majority of the families Lawrence knew, it was always the sons that was handed everything. Why had his father been so different? Did he truly want daughters that bad? It wasn’t until his senior year that Lawrence learned the truth.

By this time, his father had been promoted to warden of Bridgeton’s male prison earning him over six figures per year and a prominent spot in Bridgeton’s small society. Families that although they did not have as much power and money as families like the Watsons or Taylors; they were still higher than the average family.

One evening, Franklin came home overly excited; he was holding four invitations in his hand.

*“Farrah, Becky, come down here! I have some exciting news!”*

As the twins made their way downstairs, their mother, Angela, was walking in from the kitchen. Puzzled, she looked at the invitations in his hand.

*“Franklin, what are those?”*

Barely acknowledging her, Franklin smiled at his daughters.

*“You’ll never believe this! The Governor has invited us to this Friday’s Annual Gala!”*

The twins instantly squealed! The Annual Gala was an event hosted each year in Bridgeton where the city's finest would gather. There were live bands, charity auctioning, dancing, and most importantly connections. Franklin was eager to take his career to a higher status; this would serve as a perfect opportunity for him to network.

*“O.M.G!! Daddy this is amazing!”*

Farrah beamed as she looked at the invitations.

*“Right! I’ve been dying to go! So many of my friends have already been! Ohhh!! Do we get to purchase new gowns!”*

Franklin beamed with pride as he whipped out his credit card.

*“Of course! For you my princesses, by the most beautiful! I want my girls to be the bells of the ball!”*

As the girls began to celebrate, Lawrence walked in from school. Confused, he immediately walked into the living room.

*“What’s going on here?”*

Before Franklin could answer, his mother responded.

*“Oh! Lawrence dear, your father was invited to this year’s annual ball! We’re all going to finally attend of the event.”*

As Angela beamed, Lawarence noticed something that confused him.

*“Is there an invitation missing?”*

Suddenly, the twins along with Angela looked at the invites in Franklin’s hand.

*“Oh….Franklin dear, are yours and my invitation together?”*

Franklin scoffed.

*“No.”*

Confused, Angela asked for further explanation; the twins quietly stared with smirks on their faces.

*“Well then….how will we all go-”*

*“I don’t remember telling you I was taking Lawarence.”*

Angela’s eyes widen; had Franklin really decided not to take Lawrence along with the rest of the family?

*“But Franklin, we couldn’t poss-”*

*“We??? I don’t remember saying I was taking YOU either.”*

Angela’s face paled. Had Franklin truly decided not to take his own wife!

*“Franklin, I don’t understand. There are four inv-”*

*“He’s taking his mistress mother. Or haven’t you figured that out yet?”*

Angela’s eyes darted over to Lawrence as he headed towards to the stairs for his room.

*“T-That….that’s not right…..is it Franklin?”*

Franklin looked at Angela answering her callously.

*“Tamara will look better in a gown. What’s for dinner; I’m starving.”*

Without even allowing a reaction, Franklin walked past Angela leaving her stunned as the tears began to fall down her cheeks.

That night, the twins came to Lawrence’s room to further torment him.

*“It’s a shame daddy couldn’t bring you and mother.”*

Rebecca smiled smugly as she sat on Lawrence’s bed.

*“Oh but don’t worry, we’ll be sure to take lots of pics!”*

Farrah clapped her hands excitedly as she and her sister waited for a reaction. But Lawrence said nothing, by now, he’d grown numb to the neglect and indifference from his father.

Irritated by his lack of emotion, Rebecca decided to push his buttons further.

*“Big brother….have you ever wondered why our father treats you less than us?”*

Lawrence continued to do his homework, not wanting to pay attention. By now; he’d long since gave up wondering why his father hated him and his mother so much. Sensing his resolve, Rebecca continued.

*“It’s because mother is a slut!”*

Lawrence’s pencil stopped moving. Pausing from his homework, he turned towards his sisters who now had a sinister smile on their faces. His words sneered as his he began to speak.

*“No matter what you two may think of yourselves, you have no right to speak about mom that way!”*

The twins both laughed; there was that reaction they were hoping for!

*“But why? It’s the truth!”*

Farrah responded as she leaned back into his chair.

*“Oh….you don’t know….do you?”*

Lawrence looked at both of his sisters with a confused expression.

*“Know what? What the hell are you both-”* 

*“You’re not his real son.”*

Rebecca answered before he could finish his question. The color began to drain from his face! There was no way that could be true! This was just another one of his sisters’ cruel pranks! Angry, Lawrence stood up.

*“That’s a lie!!!”*

The twins looked at him laughing.

*“Nope! Daddy told us himself. We were curious as to why he hated you.”*

Rebecca swung her legs back and forth; smiling with arrogance as she watched her brother’s face panic.

*“Yup…sure did! Said mom slept with some random man the month she got pregnant with you and later found out you weren’t his.”*

Farrah’s words felt like acid to Lawrence’s ears. None of this made any sense! If his mother had truly had an affair that resulted in a child, why had he have kept him or her around?

*“T-That…doesn’t make any sense. Dad used to bea…..if he thought for one second I wasn’t his son…he would have left mom.”*

The twins looked at each other before breaking out into laughter once more.

*“I guess you don’t know that part either….do you?”*

Lawrence’s eyes darted to Farrah, what more could he be missing? Suddenly, Rebecca answered his floating question.

*“Apparently mother’s father left her an inheritance to pass onto the family in the event she birthed a son. The inheritance will payout once you turn eighteen.”*

Farrah chimed in next.

*“But daddy said that money is for us. He feels we are owed that money since he was forced to raise a bastard son and live with his whore wife.”*

Lawrence’s eyes suddenly darkened. It all made sense now. Why his father hated him and his mother. He wasn’t really his father’s son. Without saying another word, Lawrence turned around and walked out his room; causing his sisters to slightly panic.

*“Maybe we shouldn’t have said anything Becky. What if he tells mom?”*

Farrah looked at her sister with panic in her eyes; but Rebecca was defiant.

*“So what if he does! It’s not like our whore of a mother is going to do anything. She’s stayed this entire time hoping daddy will finally forgive her.”*

Farrah nodded in slight agreement. She wasn’t sure how right her sister was; but she had no choice but to believe her. The truth was out now.