Chapter 1
Ever since the sorrowful death of Betty's mother, her life had become more of a living hell than it was before. She constantly felt suffocated by her father ,her step mother and her deceptive and manipulating step sis.
There's a saying that" a child cannot feel rejection unless words are spoken.". Well that's a big lie because rejection lived in silence and actions. Probably in the way her father bought luxury brands for Clara and got me thrift wear, in the way her dad always gives Clara meat from his food, in the way his face would lit up every time he saw her. I'd be lucky if he even spared me a glance.
Her step mum? That's a different story because she knows that she despises her with passion.
This morning seems to be unusually quiet. The cook had been relieved of her duties the previous week because her family is cutting cost. I'm sure you can guess who the new cook and housekeeper is.
She washed the fruits, sliced the brown and banana breads, boiled the eggs, and set the dining table just the way her step mum liked. She neatly arranged the forks and knives in their appropriate places. Maybe her father would glance at her and ask her how was her night.
She lifted her head as she heard sounds of footsteps descending the stairs.
Her step mum,Judith, entered in her silk robe and already irritated.
"Can't you see that the strawberries are too thick? Is it your plan that we choke and die?"
"I'm sorry ma, I'll cut it again"
"You sure will" she said as she moves towards the sitting room.
She quietly starts cutting them thinner. Few minutes later, her dad ,Boyd, was already at the sitting room. She greeted him and he just roughly nodded.
"Tell them till Monday. Convince them you fool. Why the heck do I even pay you?", he said irritably to the person on the other end of the phone.
"I don't have it. That Monday is not sure but I can buy myself some time. Shit didn't go as planned. Just try convincing them." He says as he hangs up the call.
"FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!" He screams
Betty poured tea into his cup
He didn’t even look at her.
Seconds later,Claire's voice floated down the stairs.
"Mummyyyy, I'm starvingggg"
Her mother's face softened instantly.
The click of her heels echoed against the marble staircase before she came into view.
Unlike Betty, who had been awake since dawn scrubbing countertops and preparing breakfast, Claire looked as though she had stepped out of a beauty and fashion magazine. She wore a cream-colored satin pajama set that hugged her slim figure, her long curled hair spilling effortlessly over her shoulders.
She paused halfway down the stairs, her lips curling into a sweet smile.
Oh... I can see that breakfast is ready."
Her gaze drifted toward Betty, lingering on the slightly faded apron tied around her waist.
"My goodness, Betty." She chuckled softly. "You work so hard. If I didn't know better, I'd think Dad hired another maid."
She laughed lightly as if she'd made the world's funniest joke.
Betty lowered her eyes.
She had learned a long time ago that answering Claire only created more problems and made her sound like an empty container.
Claire reached the dining table and frowned dramatically.
"Eww..."
She picked up a fork before dropping it with disgust.
"Mom, are you sure these were washed properly? You know Betty doesn't really pay attention to details."
Judith sighed loudly.
"I've been correcting her all morning. Some people are simply born incapable."
Claire nodded sympathetically.
"Aww... don't worry, Betty. I know that work so hard. I'm sorry if I'm making it harder for you.
The words sounded encouraging.
The smile on her face wasn't.
Boyd remained silent throughout the exchange.
His eyes were fixed on the untouched cup of tea before him, his fingers tapping restlessly against the table.
His mind wasn't in the room.
It was somewhere else...
Somewhere far darker.
Three months.
That was all Baron had given him.
Three months to return every kobo he had borrowed to invesr.
Instead of investing the money wisely, Boyd had gambled on risky business deals that collapsed almost overnight and spent some impressing Judith.
Now the deadline was only days away.
His phone vibrated again.
He glanced at the screen.
Unknown Number.
He already knew who it was.
His heartbeat quickened.
He ignored it.
A second later, another message appeared.
You have three days left. Baron doesn't forgive debtors.
Boyd swallowed hard.
His palms became sweaty.
He knew the stories.
Businessmen disappearing without a trace.
Entire families found dead.
People who crossed Baron rarely lived long enough to regret it.
"No..."
He whispered to himself.
"There has to be another way."
Judith finally noticed his troubled expression.
"What is wrong with you this morning?"
Boyd didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he stood up and began pacing around the living room.
"I need a solution."
"A very quick one."
Claire blinked.
"Dad... you're scaring me."
He suddenly stopped walking.
His eyes landed on Claire.
A slow smile spread across his face.
Judith frowned.
"What?"
"I've found it."
"Found what?"
"Our way out."
He pulled out a chair and sat down again.
"Baron has only one son..
Claire frowned.
"...Byron?"
"Exactly."
She almost choked on the orange juice she'd just taken.
"Dad!"
"If Byron marries into this family, Baron becomes family."
He leaned forward.
"The debt disappears."
Silence.
Claire's smile vanished completely.
"You... you want me to marry Byron?"
Boyd nodded.
"You're beautiful."
"Educated."
"The wedding will solve everything."
Claire immediately shook her head.
"No!"
"No, Dad."
"Why No?"
"They say he is violent"
"Claire, you know this guy. You too hang out.
"Exactly why I won't and can't marry him. You need to see the way he trees women. He is also a chronic cheat among many of his other flaws."
Judith's expression hardened.
"I agree with Claire."
Boyd stared at her.
"What?"
"My daughter is not marrying that monster."
"Our daughter," Boyd corrected.
Judith ignored him.
"You've heard the rumors."
"He is cold and very terrifying. :
"Arrogant."
"He treats women like property."
"I won't sacrifice Claire."
Boyd slammed his hand against the table.
"Then what do you expect me to do?"
"Die?"
"Watch Baron destroy this family?"
Judith suddenly became quiet.
A thoughtful look crossed her face.
Then...
A smile appeared.
Not a kind one.
A calculating one.
She slowly turned her head toward Betty.
Boyd followed her gaze.
Betty's stomach tightened.
Judith spoke calmly.
"Who said it had to be Claire?"
Boyd frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
"You have another daughter."
The room fell silent.
Betty stared at her, unable to believe what she'd just heard.
Judith folded her arms.
"Use Betty."
"No one outside this house has ever met your daughters."
"They only know you have one."
"Arrange the marriage in Betty's name."
"By the time they discover the truth..."
"...the wedding would already be over."
Claire's eyes widened.
A slow smile crept onto her lips.
"Oh..."
"That's actually brilliant."
Betty felt as though the floor had disappeared beneath her feet.
"What?"
Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
Judith looked at her as though she were discussing a piece of furniture.
"You heard me."
"You'll marry Byron."
Betty shook her head immediately.
"No."
Boyd's face darkened.
"What did you say?"
"I said no."
She took a shaky step backward.
"I won't marry anyone."
"Especially a man I've never met."
"I don't even want marriage."
Claire scoffed.
"Oh please."
"As if anyone is asking for your opinion in this matter. "
Betty ignored her.
She looked directly at Boyd for the first time.
"I've seen what marriage can do to people."
"It destroys lives."
"It destroys women."
"I watched my own mother lose herself to it. I won't become a victim of it."
Her breathing became uneven.
"I promised myself long ago..."
"...that I'd never get married."
Boyd's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Hold up, do you think I'm requesting this from you?"
"No I'm not"
"This family is in trouble."
"And for once in your miserable life..."
"...you're going to be useful."
Betty slowly shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes.
"No."
"I won't do it."
"I'd rather—"
The loud crack of Boyd's palm against the dining table silenced everyone.
His voice thundered through the mansion.
"YOU DON'T GET TO REFUSE ME!"
Betty flinched violently.
The sound...
The rage in his voice...
The fear crawling up her spine...
It was all too familiar.
And against her will, memories she had buried for years began clawing their way back to the surface...
