WEDDED TO REVENGE

ia's

and arrogance, like the very air beyond it was too elite to be shared. I stepped out,

tremely long. Who needed a driveway that lo

d halfway to the intercom when two security gua

must surely be ignoring this particular building. I chuckled at my joke and the taller

uptigh

d business," he bar

le. This wasn't Fort

a scheduled meeting wit

ough his tablet with exaggerated slowness as if

ud. Were they planning to check my clothing for any hidd

curt wave. "Go ahead." The g

security test," I muttered und

ir name. By the time I reached the massive double doors, I half-expected someone to hand me a medal for enduranc

verybody here must be going through a lot

to looked like a museum exhibit of tasteless extravagance. Gold accents adorned everything. From th

ouch were Mr and Mrs Hashford, the

g possessively into her husband's sleeve. Her face was sharp, pulled tight like she'd won

ng on me just a beat too long. His eyes held the kind of slimy charm

s voice oozing counterfeit warm

ile. "Thank you for tak

ned. "Let's get this over w

ng your mon

otten into

on to raise funds for homeless children and single mothers. Mr. Hashford, my employer, Madam Sasha, ear

upport a critical cause but also enhance

amed, his interest piqu

she'd tasted something bitter.

ho give back. This is an opportunity to show your compassion and dedication to helping those in need. Let's not forget, for example, The W

"Compassion i

lingering just long enough to make my skin crawl. "

a serene smile. "Indeed. And attrac

derstood the jab. Her fingers tightened around her husband's arm

" she snapped. "But

Of course. Any contri

uppose people like you take

, we don't just take scraps, Mrs. Hashford. We

r. Hashford leaned in, whispering but it was loud enough for me to

f course. It alway

ed with reluctant respect. After a pause, she no

leased with himself. "

ard. I hadn't expected t

hly. "That generosity wil

against the marble floor. Relieved that I was finally done with

dred grand," I said, my voic

satisfaction lacing her tone. "Take the

y wave of gratitude washing over me.

o, his most trusted bodyguard. They were heading towards one of his sleek b

here

disapproving. "Did I just see you

s, Dad. It's called a cab. You k

like I'd insulted his entire lineage. "You hav

t to get from point A to point B and

ot some FOR you. Take those next ti

missed

rely contained anger. "W

curity detail for every

ughter, and you'll do as I say. No more cabs. No more d

lock me in this cage? Take a

ce. "Or I'll have Ma

hock. Tears stung my

followed was loud

d. I rushed through the gates and into the mansi

e, the sound reverberatin

e in forever, I l

ns I couldn't escape. My father's voice still echoed in my ears, that annoying

trying to steady my breath. My legs felt

le to ease the ache in my chest. I walked over to my vanity and stared at my reflection in the mirror, eyes red and swo

e table, where a delicate silver frame held a photograph. The edges were

there beside her, eight years old, my arms wrapped tig

promise that she'd alwa

ngers trembling, and

s, the way she'd brush my hair and whisper that ev

ith my sleeve. I hugged the frame to my chest, the corners digging into my ribs, but I didn't care. It was th

ustion and stress as my room s