“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.

 

my fear, not daring to

 

“Father…” my voice trembled.

 

and eavesdropping like a mouse,” My stepmother said with a smirk. “Who knows what she’ll

 

on us?” my

 

of alcohol and began to tremble uncontrollably. I knew how horrible my father could be

 

lowered my head, afraid to look him in

 

attention. “Here’s the money I

 

Her voice was like

 

are you late, you’re also eavesdropping… Looks like someone needs a little

 

father raised

 

cover my head. Trembling, I bit my lips so that I would not scream out—screaming

 

seconds… the expected

 

wallet being pulled out of

 

in hand, gloomily surveying me. Instead of feeling relieved, I felt even more

 

me that

 

the wallet in one

 

today, so not many customers

 

Slap!

 

knocking me backward and

 

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

 

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

 

fall down on my head

 

my arms and cried out, “No, I am

 

put me in a trance, and

 

“Father… please stop…”

 

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

 

and she seemed to make him happy. I used to wish I could make her happy, too. I had naively hoped that, one day,

 

 

obviously isn’t working hard enough! This

the moon goddess give her such

 

against the wall and cowered on the floor, looking at my father in fear, afraid he

 

You know what the plan is for her. In a few days, we’ll have all

 

to amusement. There was something sinister

 

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

 

If she was happy at this moment… it wasn’t

 

father squatted down to my level, and I couldn’t help but flinch backwards in fear. He raised his hand

 

do a big job for me. In fact,

 

pounding with fear, but I remained silent waiting for my

 

in need of a… maid, and

 

I gasped in disbelief.

 

but he sold me, as if I was just

 

and

 

forth between Isis and my father as he stood up. The look on Isis’s face showed nothing but

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255