Betrayed Bride: His Cruelest Debt

was a formidable man, even in retirement. He lived in the old Ortiz family mansion,

ith leather-bound books and the scent of exp

I thought you were

said, my voice steady. "I came

h. "I want to call

eyes widening in shock. "Call it

of honor. Learning that his son had been systematically torturing me t

but we're not right for each other. I've real

will be released from prison in a few months. I plan to take him

adness. He had orchestrated this marriage out of a sense of guilt

weary sound. "If this is what you truly w

me, so potent it

you, Mr

oice heavy. "And I'll transfer a sum of money to you. A

ry-" I started, but

s the least

ened and Kason walked in. He

at are you

ight and casual. "Just visiting your father, Kason. I

suspicion in his eyes, but he let it go. "I came

t beside me, cutting my food, placing it on my plate. Each careful, practiced movement was a

a new date for the wedding," Kason announced to h

ikely to reveal my decision, but at t

sion was instantaneous. His carefully constructed

me flash on the screen. It was accomp

Kason said, jump

wrong?" Augustu

eyes already on the door. He was already dialing his

I sat there, staring at the perfectly cut piece of steak on my plate, a cold kno

the promise of freedom a small, flickeri

oppressive place. Seeing him in the visitor's room, pale

ing up when he saw me. "You look

e's wonderful, Dad.

ll I want. For you to be happy." He sighed

married until you're out." I reached across the table and took his hand. "When you get ou

his cheek. "That s

cked a small bag, taking only my personal belongings. I left beh

come home

xt morning, lookin

ht," he said, loosening his t

order. I was his show pony, the

ked to the car, I instinctive

. "Jaye is coming with us. She needs

y own leg was still in a cast. He

oice flat. I climbed

ront seat with a triumphant smile. "Thanks for

their voices a low, intimate murmur. I felt like a

ancée, his hand a heavy weight on my arm. But his attention, his pride, was all for Jay

I found a deserted balcony overlooking the city lig

orner of the ballroom. Kason had Jaye pressed against the wall, his mouth de

nd full of a passion he

even smaller pieces. I followed them, a ghost in my own life, a