The Devil I called Father
Scan to watch on Phone
Chloe calls Arthur a predator while Sarah sees a savior; what happens when the stepfather she trusts controls the house?
Sarah spent eighteen years with a violent husband. Arthur Sterling, the principal of St. Martin High, helped put him in prison. Sarah married Arthur and treated him as the man who saved her and Chloe. Chloe did not see a savior. She saw a man who watched her through the door, touched her leg, and denied everything when she spoke up.
Arthur arranged Chloe's transfer to St. Martin and wanted her to call him dad. At dinner, Sarah pushed Chloe to accept the new life, comparing eighteen years of abuse with Arthur's kindness. Sarah read Chloe's unease as ingratitude. Arthur noted that Sarah trusted him more than expected.
Chloe reported someone watching her change through the door. Sarah found no one and blamed Chloe's clothes and unlocked door. When Chloe's grades dropped, Arthur offered tutoring and Sarah backed it. During a session, Arthur touched Chloe's leg. Chloe brought the accusation to Sarah, who demanded proof and pointed to Arthur's reputation as a respected principal. Arthur cornered Chloe with the fact that she could not escape him.
Chloe's grades improved through late nights at the library, not Arthur's help. She accused him again. Sarah dismissed it and said Arthur did nothing. At school, students called her a lunatic and warned others to stay away. Mrs. Davis, the biology teacher, warned that a failed exam could push the school board to withdraw Chloe. Sarah promised Arthur's personal tutoring would fix it.
Sarah’s job interview and Chloe's exam pressure ran alongside Arthur's control. Arthur had put Sarah's name forward for the job. Chloe begged not to be left alone with him. Sarah left for the interview and gave Arthur permission to do whatever he needed. Arthur locked the doors. He threatened Chloe: "You tell anyone the cops even Emma, your mom's the one who pays for it." He offered a passing biology grade if she obeyed.
Emma could not reach Chloe and called 911. Police arrived at the house. Sarah called the report another lie from her daughter. Chloe sent a voice message through an app, apologizing and saying she did not deserve to be Sarah's daughter. Sarah told her if she dared to die out there, never come back. Chloe left her phone on the rooftop and jumped. Emma followed her to the hospital, where severe trauma required immediate care. Emma later asked where Chloe’s phone was, because Chloe never went anywhere without it.
