“In a few days, we will have all the money we need, and she will be one less problem for us to worry about.”

 

***

 

The rain was beating down on me, and the pain in my body from pushing myself hard was agonizing. The burning in my lungs was becoming too much and my legs were cramping, but I knew I was in for far more pain if I didn’t make it on time.

 

Last time I was late by only two minutes, and I got beaten so hard that I couldn’t lay down for a week.

 

I only slowed down as I got closer to my father’s office, panting to catch my breath. The voice of my stepmother drew my attention.

 

“Harland, sweetie…In a few days, she won’t be our problem anymore.” The subtle smugness and malice in my stepmother’s tone made me instinctively aware that they were talking about me.

 

What did she mean?

 

My heart was pounding from the running and from what I had just heard, but I couldn’t help but quieten my footfalls as I listened.

 

I knew I shouldn’t be eavesdropping—anything I did without permission would come back to bite me. But her words made me stop in my tracks. I had to know more.

 

“…they’ll take her, and we’ll have the money.”

 

My eyes widened and my body began to shake uncontrollably.

 

What was she talking about?!

 

“Tick tock, Rosalie. You’re late again,” said a voice behind me.

 

I snapped my head around and came face to face with Derek’s sinister smile.

 

My stepbrother’s gray eyes were looking me up and down in my drenched clothes, as if he wanted to peel them off with his gaze.

 

Ever since he first met me when I was fourteen, he had been trying to lay his hands on me. I didn’t even want to know what he would’ve done had my stepmother not forced him to leave me alone—only because I was the one who had been making money for the family.

 

I tried my best to avoid Derek, and that no doubt angered him. That was probably why he got sick pleasure from seeing me chastised by my father or stepmother.

 

But at this point, Derek wasn’t my greatest concern.

 

I noticed that the voices in the office had fallen silent. They had heard what Derek said.

 

“Rosalie!”

 

My father’s voice set my nerves on edge. I was done for. I almost tried to flee, but I knew Derek would stop me.

 

Nothing like a good beating to end the night.

 

Gloating, Derek moved around me and pushed open the door.

 

fear, not daring

 

“Father…” my voice trembled.

 

a troublemaker, hiding and eavesdropping like a mouse,” My stepmother said with a smirk. “Who knows

 

were eavesdropping on us?” my

 

and began to tremble uncontrollably. I knew how horrible my father

 

head, afraid to look him in the

 

to redirect his attention. “Here’s the

 

was

 

you are, trying to cover up your crime with just a few bucks? Not only are you late, you’re also eavesdropping… Looks like

 

raised

 

lifted mine to cover my head. Trembling, I bit my lips so that I would not scream out—screaming would only bring more brutal

 

seconds… the expected pain did

 

I felt my wallet being pulled out of

 

my father with money in hand, gloomily surveying me. Instead of feeling relieved, I felt

 

father’s eyes told me that

 

one hand

 

many customers came to the restaurant… I’ve

 

Slap!

 

my face, knocking me backward and

 

father’s angry roar

 

dependent on

 

head and back like

 

my arms and cried out, “No, I am

 

in a trance, and my vision began

 

“Father… please stop…”

 

Sweetie, remember… That

 

my mother died, and she seemed to make him happy. I used to wish I could make her

 

 

hard enough! This money is

goddess give her

 

floor, looking at my father in fear, afraid he would raise his hand to

 

“she obviously is more of a disappointment than we expected. No matter. You already spoke to Talon this morning. You know what the plan is for her. In a few days, we’ll have all our financial issues sorted and she’ll be one less problem for us

 

to amusement. There was something sinister lurking in his

 

stepmother looked back at me with a subtle smile. “Do tell her, Harland. I bet she will be excited about the news.

 

happy at this moment… it

 

but flinch backwards in fear. He raised his hand and pressed

 

do a big job for me. In

 

pounding with fear, but I remained silent

 

seems he is in need of a… maid, and is

 

I gasped in disbelief.

 

but he sold me, as if I was just a sheep…

 

was terrified, shocked, and speechless. This couldn’t

 

between Isis and my father as he stood up. The look on Isis’s face showed nothing but amusement and confirmed the truth of what he

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