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Chapter 5%
Dragging myself to the hospital alone was becoming a habit. By now, I barely even felt the pain anymore–it was just a dull, constant presence that gnawed at the edges of my mind.
The burns on my arm throbbed with every step, each movement a reminder that in this house, in this life, I was nothing.”
After they treated me and wrapped fresh bandages around my burns, I thought I could finally crawl back into bed and disappear for a while.
But no. My phone buzzed just as I was leaving the hospital.
It was my father.
“Go to the wedding boutique. Try on the dresses. No excuses.“}
I stared at the message, my hands trembling slightly.
Of course. Because what else did he see me as anymore except a bargaining chip for the family?}
With a heavy heart, I made my way to the boutique. The fitting room was bright, almost blinding. Rows of silk and lace and tulle filled the space, a sea of white suffocating me.§
I tried on the dresses one by one, each one heavier than the last. I stared at myself in the mirror, barely recognizing the hollow–eyed girl staring back.”
Just a few more days, I reminded myself. Just a few more days, and I’ll leave this hell behind.
I pushed through the appointments, smiled politely at the attendants, nodded when they clucked approval.
When it was over, I stepped out into the evening air, exhausted.}
I was about to call a taxi when a black van screeched to a stop beside me.}
Before I could react, rough hands grabbed me, pulling me inside.}
I woke up in a cold, damp warehouse, the stench of cigarettes and sweat burning my nose.}
My wrists were tied painfully behind my back, my body bruised and aching from being thrown around like a rag doll.
I tried to sit up, but the second I moved, one of the men stomped forward and shoved me back down with the heel of his
“Stay down, bitch,” he growled.
Terror gripped me.
“What… what did I do?” I croaked out. “Why are you doing this?!“}
icking ash
One of them laughed cruelly, flicking ashes from his cigarette onto the floor.”
“You hurt Young Master Brown’s love,” he sneered. “You burned sweet little Katie. You think you can touch her and get away with it?“}
My blood ran cold.
Katie.}
Of course. This was Cameron’s doing. The Young Master Brown fantasy he spun for her… he must have fed it so deeply that his own men
believed it.”
Before I could scream, one of them jabbed the burning end of a cigarette into my back.
I screamed so loud my throat tore.
Again. And again. They pressed smoldering cigarettes into my skin, laughing as I writhed and begged for them to stop.
Tears blinded me, pain swallowing me whole. Every burn carved itself into my body a permanent reminder that I had never been wanted. Never been protected.”
After what felt like hours, they tossed me out like garbage.}
Somehow, I made it back to the hospital.
Another round of treatment. Another round of silence.
Days blurred together. When I was finally discharged–alone, again–I called a taxi and went home.
The house was full of music and laughter when I arrived. From the garden, I heard Katie’s shrill, excited voice.
Hiding behind a tree, I listened.”
“I got so many gifts from Young Master Brown!” she squealed to her friends. “Isn’t it amazing?“}
One of them giggled. “What are you planning to do?”
Katie laughed, a high, tinkling sound.!
“Of course, marry him if he asks me to, since I was sure that he truly likes me,” she said proudly. “What else?”
“And what about Cameron?” one of the girls asked. “He’s so good to you…“}
“Oh, please,” Katie snorted. “I’m not marrying a lowly chef. I only kept him around to make my sister jealous. It’s fun stealing everything from her.”
The girls laughed. I stood there, frozen, the words stabbing deeper than any cigarette burn ever could.
But I didn’t cry.!!
Not anymore.
I entered the house quietly.”
2/2
16.5%
12:15 PM
Katie spotted me immediately.
“Sister!” she chirped, skipping over like nothing had happened. “Come with me, let’s celebrate!“}
I didn’t even look at her.}
“Have fun,” I said, pushing past.}
Katie’s smile faltered, but she caught up to me quickly, tugging at my arm.
“Why are you jealous?” she pouted. “Is it because you’re marrying that paralyzed man instead of me marrying a eal catch like Master Brown? Is that why you’re mad?“}
I said nothing. But when she saw that her words didn’t provoke a reaction, she leaned closer, her voice low and vicious.
“You’re just like your mother. Useless. Broken. No wonder she ended up the way she did.“}
Something inside me snapped. I turned, grabbed a fistful of her perfect hair, and yanked hard.
Katie screamed.
I ripped the necklace from her throat–the one with my mother’s locket she wore like some trophy–and threw it across the room.
“Remove that!” I shouted, my voice cracking with rage. “You don’t deserve to wear my mother’s memory while you spit on her! How dare you!”
12:16 PM
