“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.

 

not daring to look up at the people in the

 

“Father…” my voice trembled.

 

told you she was a troublemaker, hiding and eavesdropping like a mouse,” My stepmother said with a smirk. “Who knows what she’ll do when

 

were eavesdropping on us?”

 

tremble uncontrollably. I knew how

 

afraid to look him in the

 

to redirect his attention. “Here’s the

 

giggled. Her voice was like nails on

 

with just a few bucks? Not only are you late, you’re also eavesdropping… Looks like someone needs a little lesson,” she said, wrapping her long-manicured nails around my

 

raised his

 

mine to cover my head. Trembling, I bit my lips so

 

the expected

 

my wallet being pulled out of

 

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

 

told me that something worse was going

 

the wallet in one

 

shuddered and whispered, “It’s raining hard today, so not many customers came to the restaurant… I’ve given you every penny

 

Slap!

 

knocking me backward and

 

angry roar faintly over the ringing in

 

mean? Are you saying that I’m dependent on you for support? How dare

 

head and

 

in my arms and cried out,

 

intense pain put me in a trance, and my vision began to

 

“Father… please stop…”

 

place. “Harland… Sweetie, remember… That pretty face and voice of hers are her biggest assets. We don’t want to

 

my father found someone after my mother died, and she seemed to make him happy. I used to wish I could make her happy, too. I

 

 

hard enough! This money is nothing! Pennies compared

moon goddess give her such a talent to begin with?” my

 

on the floor, looking at my

 

Talon this morning. You know what the plan is for her. In a few days,

 

amusement. There was

 

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

 

was happy at

 

my level, and I couldn’t help but flinch backwards in fear.

 

a big job for me. In fact,

 

was pounding with fear, but I remained silent

 

he is in need of a… maid, and is willing to pay a lot of

 

I gasped in disbelief.

 

but he sold me,

 

shocked, and

 

as he stood up. The look on Isis’s face

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