Chapter One
1209 Words
Emily scrubbed the living room floor tiredly, she had been working all day without rest simply because her stepsister—Sophia, was hosting a party for her “elite and chic” friends.
She felt so dizzy and couldn't even remember the last time she had a good night's sleep, as she was always busy with chores.
Her whole body ached badly.
“You missed a spot” her stepmother's voice roared from behind her.
Emily didn't turn around, she ignored it as she kept scrubbing a particular spot. Silence had become a great part of her over the years.
“At least it was better than talking back” she would always tell herself, as the consequences were much worse.
“You missed a spot “ her stepmother repeated, her tone sharper this time.
Emily swallowed and continued cleaning unaware that this was a great mistake.
Before she could react, Sophia hurriedly approached her pulling her roughly by her hair. Emily couldn’t do anything, she just let out a scream.
“Are you deaf?” Sophia yelled angrily, tightening her grip on her hair.
“Pain shot through Emily’s scalp as she blinked back tears. She didn’t dare to allow them to fall.
“I asked a question you brat, are you deaf” Sophia asked again, already losing her patience.
“N-no” Emily answered her voice barely a whisper
“Then answer when you’re spoken to” Sophia yelled
Her stepmother sat on the couch behind her giving her a look of disgust clearly enjoying the show of Sophia manhandling her.
“She’s always pretending not to hear, scrubbing the same place like some i***t” her stepmother taunted as she rolled her eyes at her.
Luck was on Emily’s side today which wasn’t very often, as the front door slammed open causing Sophia to loosen the painful grip on her hair.
Her father walked into the living room with his face pale and flustered and his tie loosened. He quickly scanned the room seeing Sophia’s hands still gripping Emily’s hair and his wife with a smug expression on her face.
Of course, he couldn’t care less.
“So how was the meeting with the Smiths” Sophia asked casually, finally releasing her grip on Emily’s hair.
Emily let out a deep sigh of relief while her dad let out a weary sigh as he groaned loudly.
From the sigh her father let out, Sophia knew something was definitely wrong.
There was silence in the room for a moment before Sophia urged her father to speak up.
“Come on Dad, speak up, you’re making us worried” Sophia said impatiently.
“They agreed” he said finally.
This made Sophia’s eyes light up instantly.
“Agreed to what?” she asked.
“The Smiths” he replied rubbing his face, “They agreed to clear the debt”
His wife let out a gasp, her hand flying to her mouth
“You mean it’s finally over, we’re saved!” she screamed excitedly.
“Thank you so much Charles” she screamed again running towards him, giving him a hug.
“I told you Mum, Dad always fixes everything” Sophia said smugly
Both mother and daughter were so excited, failing to notice the bitter look on Charles’ face.
“But there’s a condition” Charles finally dropped the bomb, cutting their happy moment short.
“What kind of condition?” Sophia and her mother asked at the same time, getting paranoid.
“They want a union” her father replied clearing his throat awkwardly
“They want a marriage union” he explained further, not looking at Sophia and her Mum in the eye.
“Marriage, don’t be ridiculous” Sophia laughed in disbelief not knowing how serious the matter at hand was.
“They want Lucas Smith married,” her father continued. “Immediately”
“You’re joking” Sophia said, her laughter fading because, deep down she knew this was far from a joke. She knew the Smiths and what they’re capable of, most especially when you don’t fulfil their rigorous demands.
“They were very clear about what they wanted,” her father said. “The debt is cleared completely if my daughter becomes his wife”
Silence
“No!” Sophia screamed, breaking the silence. “You absolutely did not agree to that”
“Charles, Sophia can’t go there” Sophia’s Mum said, her voice shaking. “That man is dangerous, the Smiths are… cold people” She trembled.
“I know” Charles said.
“Then fix it”. Sophia snapped. “You always do”
Charles felt very uneasy tugging at his tie every second as he tried to avoid the gaze of his angry princess and her mother.
He thought deeply about how to handle the situation at hand until his gaze landed on Emily.
“Jackpot” Charles said under his breath, his paranoid expression turning into that of victory.
“They didn’t specify which daughter, they just said mine” he said quietly
The room became very silent.
Emily’s eyes widened, her breathing becoming raspy.
I—I don’t understand,” she whispered. “What does that mean?”
No one answered her at first.
Sophia seeing the displeased look on Emily’s face finally understood what her father was talking about.
Her lips curled into a wicked smile.
“Of course, that’s obvious” she said looking at Emily like she was a piece of trash.
“What’s obvious?” Emily asked, her throat tightening.
Deep down she already knew what was happening but she was still relying on the last thread of hope to give herself the benefit of doubt.
“You will marry Lucas Smith” her father repeated so casually like he wasn’t just handing her over to a very dangerous man known mainly for his cruelty.
Emily shook her head. “N-no, w-what does that mean “ she stammered. Her legs were shaky and her palms were sweaty from the fear that was beginning to build up.
She had thought the verbal and physical abuse was the worst thing her family could do to her, not knowing that one day she would be given out to a ruthless man as collateral.
“You’ll have to learn my dear Emily” her stepmother said with fake emotion. “Girls like you always do”
Sophia laughed. “Honestly, Emily, stop acting surprised. Isn’t this better than scrubbing floors all day like a loser”
“No, no, I won’t do it” Emily yelled at her family. This was one of those rare times when she stood up to them.
“What did you say?” Her father said in a very threatening manner approaching her slowly. “Did you just object to my orders!”
Emily was smart enough to tell that he was about to hit her, so she did the first thing that came to her mind. She took the fruit knife from the living room table and pressed it against her neck.
“I will not marry Lucas Smith,” Emily said, pressing the knife deeper into the skin on her neck. “I’d rather die”
- Writer
