“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 to

 

“Father…” my voice trembled.

 

mouse,” My stepmother said with

 

were eavesdropping on us?” my father

 

of alcohol and began to tremble uncontrollably. I knew how horrible

 

lowered my head, afraid to

 

to redirect his attention. “Here’s the money

 

Her voice was

 

Not only are you late, you’re also eavesdropping… Looks like someone needs a little lesson,” she said, wrapping her long-manicured

 

raised his

 

bit my

 

second, two seconds… the expected pain did

 

my wallet being pulled out of

 

my father with money in hand, gloomily surveying me.

 

told me that something worse was

 

the wallet in one hand and frowned. “Is

 

raining hard today, so not many customers came to the restaurant… I’ve given you every penny I’ve

 

Slap!

 

knocking me backward and onto

 

angry roar faintly over the ringing in my

 

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

 

down on my head

 

my arms and cried out, “No, I

 

in a trance, and my vision

 

“Father… please stop…”

 

like it was coming from a very far away place. “Harland… Sweetie, remember… That pretty face and voice of hers are her biggest assets. We don’t

 

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 had naively hoped that, one day, things might get

 

 

enough! This money

moon goddess give her such a

 

at my father in

 

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

 

There was

 

tell

 

had me terrified. If she was happy at this moment… it

 

flinch backwards in fear. He raised his hand and pressed it on my head—which sent a

 

me. In fact, one that will change our lives

 

but I

 

seems he is in need

 

I gasped in disbelief.

 

sold me, as

 

and

 

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

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