Bought to be his queen

This Is All your Fault

Lily scrambled forward immediately, smoothing her dress and fixing her hair as Adrian walked closer. A bright, fake smile spread across her face, one she reserved only for moments when she wanted to charm her way into something she desired. She pushed past June, still kneeling on the floor, and stepped right into Adrian’s path, batting her eyelashes as if she were the only person in the room.

"Adrian", Lily said, her voice sweet and dripping with affection, "I can’t believe it is really you. I have missed you so much. You have no idea how often I think about you. I have dreamed of this moment for so long."

She reached out, trying to touch his arm, her body language soft and inviting as if she were deeply in love with him. But Adrian did not even look at her. His dark eyes remained fixed on June, shivering and soaked, kneeling in the mess of alcohol and tears. He stepped sideways, effortlessly avoiding Lily’s touch as if she were nothing more than a shadow or a piece of furniture blocking his way.

"Get out of my way", Adrian said, his voice flat and devoid of any emotion.

Lily’s smile faltered for a second, but she forced it back, clinging to her act. "Oh, don’t be like that. You know I have always cared for you more than anyone else in the world. Why do you act so cold to me?"

Adrian finally turned his gaze to her, but the look in his eyes was not warm or affectionate. It was icy and sharp, cutting right through her performance. He looked her up and down with clear disgust before speaking.

"You speak as if you matter", he said calmly. "I see no one here worth speaking to except the girl on the floor. And frankly, it is pathetic to watch you torment your own family just to make yourself feel powerful. You act like a queen, but you behave like a bully with nothing better to do."

The words hit Lily like a physical blow. Her face burned red with humiliation as her friends behind her gasped quietly. Adrian did not wait for her reply. He gave June one last lingering look, turned on his heel, and walked out of the club, leaving the silence to crush Lily completely.

Rage boiled inside Lily’s chest, replacing her embarrassment instantly. All her frustration and shame had to go somewhere, and she knew exactly where to put it. She spun around, her eyes blazing with fury, and marched straight toward June, who was slowly trying to push herself up from the floor.

"This is all your fault", Lily screamed, raising her hand high. She brought it down with all her strength, slapping June hard across the cheek. The sound echoed loudly through the room. June’s head snapped to the side, fresh pain exploding across her skin where the hot, heavy impact landed. A deep red mark bloomed instantly, turning purple almost immediately, leaving a clear, ugly bruise on her pale skin.

"Get up", Lily shrieked, grabbing June by the ear and dragging her toward the door. "We are leaving now."

The drive home was silent and terrifying. Lily gripped the steering wheel so tight her knuckles were white, while June sat pressed against the car door, holding her stinging cheek, tears silently running down her face. Every part of her body ached from earlier abuse, and now this fresh injury throbbed painfully, adding to the collection of marks she already carried.

As soon as they entered the house, Lily ran straight to the living room where Evelyn was waiting, pretending to sob loudly and clutching her hand to her own cheek as if she were the one who had been hurt.

"Mother, you won’t believe what happened", Lily cried, falling into Evelyn’s arms. "That ungrateful little beast June, she attacked me. She got angry because I tried to discipline her, and she slapped me right across the face. Look at how violent she is becoming."

Evelyn pulled back, her face hard with anger. She looked over Lily’s shoulder straight at June, standing by the doorway, exhausted, wet, and trembling. Her eyes landed immediately on the darkening bruise on June’s cheek. Without asking a single question, without listening to June’s side of the story, Evelyn’s mind was already made up. She believed every lie her precious daughter told her, because believing Lily was easier and fit exactly what she already thought about June.

"How dare you", Evelyn spat, stepping forward and grabbing June’s chin, forcing her head up to look at her. "You useless, violent little wretch. You think you can raise your hand against Lily. You have learned nothing. We give you a roof over your head, and this is how you repay us."

"But Ma, I did not", June whispered, her voice hoarse. "It was not like that. She."

"Silence", Evelyn shouted, releasing her chin only to shove her backward. "Go to your room. You will stay there until I decide your punishment. Do not let me see your face again tonight."

June stumbled back, clutching her bruised cheek, nodding slowly. There was no point in explaining. No one ever listened to her. No one ever believed her. She turned and walked slowly up the stairs, dragging her battered and broken body away from the cruelty below, knowing full well that tomorrow would bring even more suffering to her.