I’ll Be My Princess

Chapter 3

The night of the family dinner, the living room was brightly lit and buzzing with voices.

My aunt held Isabella's hand, smiling so wide she could barely close her mouth.

"Bella is so lucky. She snagged a man as impressive as Hugh. Once she marries into that family, she'll be a real heiress."

Isabella lowered her head shyly. "Aunt Clara, don't tease me."

Aunt Mabel chimed in. "Princesses like Bella are the best. Quinn is a boy, but so gloomy. Not likable at all."

I was in the kitchen washing a mountain of dishes.

Water rushed over my fingers, and my knuckles were red and stiff from the cold.

Mom walked in and set a stack of dirty plates heavily by the sink. "Wash faster."

She glanced at my red, swollen hands. "Lots of relatives today. Behave yourself. Don't embarrass me."

I turned off the faucet, took a towel, and dried my hands. "The dish soap is out. I'm going to the storage room to get some."

Walking out of the kitchen, passing the living room, I saw Isabella showing a wooden box to the relatives.

That was my box. Inside was my championship medal from the college debate tournament, the same competition where I first met Hugh.

"What kind of junk is this?" My cousin leaned in curiously.

Isabella casually took out the medal and weighed it in her hand. "I don't know. Found it in Quinn's room. Feels heavy. Probably a fake from a street stall."

Her hand slipped.

Clang!

The metal medal hit the marble floor. The glass face shattered, and an ugly dent marred the smooth metal edge.

The living room went silent for a moment.

I stopped. I looked at the medal, shattered on the floor.

Isabella covered her mouth and gasped. "Oh no, it slipped."

Mom hurried over and pulled Isabella behind her. "Quinn, Isabella didn't mean to. It's just a cheap medal. How much could it be worth? I'll buy you a solid gold one tomorrow."

Dad also frowned. "It's a happy day. Don't ruin everyone's mood over something so small. Hurry up and sweep it clean. Don't let Isabella get hurt."

The relatives chimed in. "Yeah, Quinn. You're the younger brother. Be generous."

I stood there, looking at their matter-of-fact faces, and suddenly felt it was all pointless. Extreme exhaustion washed over me. I didn't even have the energy to be angry.

I took the broom from the corner and walked to the fragments. I crouched down and swept the broken glass and the dented medal into the dustpan, bit by bit.

A shard of glass cut my finger. Tiny beads of blood seeped out.

I didn't stop. I dumped all the fragments into the trash and turned toward the guest room.

"Where are you going?" Mom called from behind me. "The fruit plate isn't cut yet!"

I didn't look back. I pushed open the guest room door.

1 more day. I would say yes to Hugh and leave this house.