“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.
a deep breath, suppressing my fear, not daring to look up at the people in the
“Father…” my voice trembled.
hiding and eavesdropping like a mouse,” My stepmother said with a smirk. “Who knows what she’ll do when she
on
uncontrollably. I knew how horrible my father could
lowered my head, afraid to look him in the
his attention. “Here’s the money I earned
Her voice was like nails on a
just a few bucks? Not only are you late, you’re also eavesdropping…
father raised
to cover my head. Trembling, I bit my
two seconds… the expected pain did
I felt my wallet being pulled out of
money in hand, gloomily surveying me.
told me that
wallet in one hand and
customers came
Slap!
struck my face, knocking me backward and onto the
slumped to the ground, hearing my father’s angry roar faintly over the ringing in
Are you saying that I’m dependent on you for support? How dare you
on my head and
cried out, “No, I am
put me in a trance, and my
“Father… please stop…”
Sweetie, remember… That pretty face and voice
seemed to make him happy. I
This money is nothing! Pennies compared
her such a talent to begin
my father in fear, afraid
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
amusement. There was something sinister lurking in his eyes, giving
with a subtle smile. “Do tell
she was happy at this moment…
in fear. He raised his hand and pressed it on my head—which sent a shiver down
to do a big job for me. In
but I
Drogomor. It seems he is in need of a… maid, and is willing to pay a lot of
I gasped in disbelief.
but he sold me, as if I
and speechless. This couldn’t
father as he stood up. The look on Isis’s face showed nothing but amusement and confirmed the truth of what
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