“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.

 

daring to look up at the people in the

 

“Father…” my voice trembled.

 

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

 

on

 

tremble uncontrollably. I knew how horrible my father could

 

head, afraid to look

 

had to redirect his attention. “Here’s the money

 

voice was like nails

 

just a few bucks? Not only are you late, you’re also eavesdropping… Looks like someone needs a little lesson,” she said,

 

father raised his

 

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

 

second, two seconds… the expected pain did not

 

felt my wallet being pulled out

 

opened my eyes to see my father with money in hand,

 

eyes told me that something worse

 

hefted the wallet in one hand and frowned. “Is that

 

whispered, “It’s raining hard today, so not many customers

 

Slap!

 

my face, knocking me backward and onto the

 

ground, hearing my father’s angry roar faintly over the

 

do you mean? Are you saying that I’m dependent on

 

head and back like a

 

cried out,

 

pain put me in a trance, and

 

“Father… please stop…”

 

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

 

him happy. I used to wish I could make her happy, too.

 

 

This money

give her such a talent to begin with?”

 

and cowered on the floor, looking at my father in fear, afraid he would raise his

 

matter. You already spoke to Talon this morning. You know what the plan is for her. In a few days, we’ll

 

expression turned from anger to amusement. There was something sinister lurking in his eyes, giving

 

stepmother looked back at me with a subtle smile. “Do tell her, Harland.

 

had me terrified. If she was happy at this moment… it wasn’t for a good

 

squatted down to my level, and I couldn’t help but flinch backwards in fear. He raised his hand and pressed it on my head—which sent a shiver down my

 

for me. In fact, one that will change our

 

heart was pounding with fear, but I remained silent

 

need of a… maid, and is

 

I gasped in disbelief.

 

called him father, but he sold me,

 

shocked, and

 

forth between Isis and my father as he stood up. The look on Isis’s

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