Zerina's POV

I turned sharply at him. My eyes narrowed. “I... I thought you really did love me. I thought amongst all the people in my life who hated me and used me and discarded me... I thought you were different from them. But no, you've joined them, conspired with them. Who would have known my sister was whoring herself with you? I— I really— really..." I couldn't say anything any more. The pain and anguish I felt didn't help me at all.

"I did love you, Zee." He said, and paused.

"Did?”

He looked into my eyes and without hesitation he said what I knew he would've said. " Yes, I did. You don't expect me to go around without having sex? I am a man. A billionaire's son at that. I can't actually just have one girl at my side always. Especially a girl who doesn't give me what I want."

My heart broke into a thousand and one pieces. I looked up in the dark sky. It looked like it was mourning with me too. The rain was coming down slowly, on my face. A tear escaped my eyes. I laughed bitterly at how stupid I've been. What did I expect? That a poor lonely girl like me would find true love in a playboy billionaire? I thought I would've been the one to change him. I thought I could prove to people that men can be with one woman only. I guess I've always been stupid just like father says I am, just like everyone says I am. I didn't want to look at his face again, I closed my eyes, shook my head and stepped back.

" Come on, Zee. You're acting childish. If only you allowed me to fuck you, I wouldn't have cheated on you ," Lies. He was lying again with a straight face. "Come to think of it , how many girls your age are still virgins? Why must you be different? It's a normal thing, love. I have all the money to care for you. You don't have to keep living a poor life"

I wasn't shocked at the things he said anymore. I was just shocked at the fact that I loved a monster for almost 3 years of my miserable life. Was he the man I've always cherished, laughed with, smiled with? Oh God! Have I been foolish to have given my heart to him? I didn't want to talk anymore, I didn't want to keep seeing his face.

I took a step back, turned and I ran without looking back. I heard his voice calling me to come back, that I might catch a cold. I still ran. The rain pelted me like it was trying to wash the memory of our times together from my mind. His smiles, his laughter. Fake, all fake.

My tears were no match for the storm but I cried anyway. Each droplet that slid down my cheek could've been rain or sorrow and I stopped trying to tell the difference. The red gown I wore was soaked clinging to my skin, outlining my breasts and tightening around my nipples.

This morning I was so happy for him that he got the CEO position. I didn't tell him I would be coming over. I wanted to surprise him. You know, the stupid romantic kind of thing you do when you're still soft and believing. I stole wine from my dad's small wine parlour at home for us to toast with. I even wore this red gown he once said made him hard the moment he saw me.

But surprise? Ohh, unfortunately, I was the one he surprised.

“Fuck you, Dave." I yelled in the rain, trying to pour out all my pain and anguish into those three words. People watched me, stared at me like I'm a psychiatrist patient that escaped a psychic hospital. I didn't care at the moment. Why was the universe always so unfair to me? Was I evil or did I do anything bad in my past life for my present life to suck so much?

I kept crying and running. My hair plastered on my face. I didn't know where I was going. My legs finally stopped at a club. Its neon lights shone brightly, tempting me. I've never been into a club. And now I know why people came here. They came here to forget all their sorrows, to enjoy life since it's so short and it always finds a way to suck so much.

I must've looked hideous because everyone glanced at me with expressions that told me so. I know my makeup was smeared, my dress clinging to my curves and my heart. My heart felt like it was shattered into jagged pieces that cut every time I breathed. I swallowed all my pain down.

When I walked into the club as people danced around happily, free from the world's troubles. I smiled bitterly. This might just be what I needed. To drink my sorrows away and maybe actually get loose with someone. I need to lose my virginity tonight, to get fucked up senselessly. To feel how sweet they say sex is.

I pushed through the crowd of dancing bodies and went straight to the mini bar that held many glorious alcohols. I know how weird it sounds using the word glorious to describe the alcohols but well, it's a free world. A world that sucks.

The male bartender smirked at me . He had a charming smile. I smiled flirtatiously at him. I learnt how to smile like that thanks to the porn videos Dave made me watch. The bar attendant looked decent enough to get me laid tonight.

"What are you drinking tonight?" He asked me, his voice wasn't that deep but he looked mature.

I smiled at him, before looking around at the bottles of alcohol. I was confused about which to pick. "Anything strong, very strong."

He looked like he understood, like he has dealt with people like me before. "I've got something for you"

Again, I smiled , placing my hands on the table before sitting down. My movements were sexy and hot. He stared at my curves and I swear he was salivating. His eyes travelled to my breast. "Why do I feel like it will be hot?"

"What will be hot?" I asked, looking innocent like I didn't know what he was talking about.

"Oh, I'm talking about the tequilas I will bring to you. Yes, they will be hot and very strong. Hope you can handle it?" He sounded shy and in a normal circumstance he would've been a red flag to me. But this wasn't. normal circumstance, right now I don't care. I kept on flirting with him.

" I know they will be hot," I said, and made sure he noticed my eyes going down to his cock. I felt it enlarge at my gaze."And I know I can handle it"

"I--- I think I forgot to serve some customers," he said to me, pushing a bottle of alcohol and a glass to me before rushing off. Urghhh, some immature guy he was. I took a swing of the bottle ignoring the glass cup he kept on the table. My throat burned, my stomach felt hot. I kept drinking, images of Dave and Bianca sucking him down there—flashed in my eyes. I drank some more, I felt this desperate need to forget everything that happened. The alcohol was so hot and bitter but it kind of helped me feel lightheaded enough to want to look around a bit.

The air around me was thick with alcohol , sweat, and the same feeling I felt —that desperate need to forget. Sadly, I fit right in.

I adjusted myself on the bar stool, my dress hitching high up my thighs. I felt someone's eyes on me. My body burned from his gaze, my nipples hardened beneath my soaked dress. I didn't know what I felt. Was it heat? My thighs ached, that buzzing thrill in my veins. I have never felt any of these before.

I glanced around the club, looking for who made me feel this way. My eyes searched for the bar attendant. I found him in seconds. He was still attending to someone and sometimes he glanced over at me with that shy expression that didn't suit him at all. But it wasn't him that made me feel this way. I turned my head to look behind me, in the shadows sitting there, legs crossed like a king.

My eyes met his and I didn't know how one could get wet just by a glance. My panties were wet instantly. I rubbed my thighs together. Those eyes—cold, dark blue. He looked right at me, my soul, like he owned it and my body too. Like he could ruin me with a whisper. His eyes left my face, his gaze dragged across my body, and stopped, staring hard at my covered pussy like he badly wanted to undress me. His gaze continued to drag across the rest of my body like a touch, unapologetically slow, lingering on my breast, my lips, but his gaze continued going back to the space between my thighs.

My face flushed like a thousand suns. My legs clenched instinctively. I was so wet just from his gaze and why did I feel like he knew I was wet for him.

"I need him," I whispered to myself as my hands gripped the table to steady the wild rush inside me. It would be wonderful if he was the one who took my virginity. I wouldn't regret it if he deflowered me, here and now. With that in mind, I slid off the stool and pushed through the sweating crowd.

"Excuse me. Move." My vision was a little bit fuzzy from the alcohol and I staggered a little bit. I didn't let that discourage me. I was almost to where he sat, the excitement on my face changed when I didn't see him there again. Gone just like that.

"How—," I turned in circles, scanning everybody, every shadow. No one looked like him. Disappointment hit like a slap.That's why alcoholism isn't good. Was I hallucinating? I blamed the alcohol for creating images that weren't really here. Can alcohol create images that make one wet with just a gaze?

I stormed out into the rain again, cursing every stupid beat of my traitorous heart. I turned around again in circles, feeling the rain hit me harder. Then I felt it, that gaze again. Before I could turn to know where the source of that gaze came from, I was slammed to the wall. No wait, a chest. A very hard male chest. I stopped breathing when I saw that suit the man from the club wore. But this time it was partially soaked. I felt a strong hand on my waist holding me firmly. I looked up slowly, my eyes trailing from his suit up to his neck, then his face and his eyes. That's when the air left my lungs. I've never seen eyes so beautiful yet dangerous and cold. They were piercing , staring down at me like they were trying to solve a puzzle hungrily. I blinked my eyes to know if there could be anyone so handsome and yet cold.

His jaw clenched as raindrops slid down the sharp lines of his face. His lips parted just slightly. I wanted it against mine. I became wet at the thought.

He breathed in heavily, like there was something he smelled that affected him so much. His eyes pierced into mine. "You always run into strangers like this?" His voice was so deep.

My pussy became more wet. Something changed in his eyes, something dark filled with desire. I loved that look and maybe that's what gave me the courage to say what I said.

Zerina’s POV

"Only the ones who stare at me like they want to eat me alive," I fired back, defiantly without breathing.

His lips curved into a smirk. "I do want to eat you alive, little one"

"I'm not little," I shot back but my stomach flipped, my thighs tightened and I hated how fast I was unravelling.

I wanted to say something again, but he moved fast. His hands on my waist tightened, the other slid behind my neck. He inhaled my scent which was so surprising to me. But before I could ask him why he did that, his mouth crashed into mine, hot, demanding and possessive. Blood shot up to my brain and I felt so light headed. It was the best kiss I have ever gotten. I gasped and he swallowed the sound. His tongue claimed mine , like he had every right and the worst part? I let him. I kissed him back like I needed it. I wasn't a good kisser. Dave always made sure to tell me and I always tried to ignore the disgust he always had on his face. But here with this stranger, I didn't care and I felt he enjoyed my inexperienced kiss.

His hands slid down my wet ass, squeezing it hard through the thin dress. Who would've thought that your ass being squeezed could be this good and pleasurable? My knees wobbled , it felt jellylike and I felt it would give up soon. But then, he caught me and squeezed my ass more. The pleasure I felt cannot be described. My legs were now wrapped around his waist. I whimpered into his mouth, grinding into him without thinking.

"Fuck," he growled, pulling back just enough to suck my lower lips. "You smell divine, little one."

That was a weird thing to say. I smiled awkwardly at him and decided to flow with his weirdness. "Isn't that weird to say? How do you know what I smell like?" I laughed freely, looking into his eyes again. "And you—you smell like danger"

He leaned close, his eyes were amused. His breath was hot against my ear. "Danger makes you wet, doesn't it?"

My smile and laugh died down. My wet pussy throbbed. How did he know that? I looked at him back with wide eyes. He laughed at my expression. I loved his laughter, low and sexy.

He pressed me more against the wall, and slid my legs down his waist. I stood before him, the rain was still pouring. My dress and hair soaked and plastered to my overheated skin. He raised my head up with his long index finger. My eyes were on his.

I felt his hands sliding up my thighs. My breath hitched . His hands went beneath the hem of my dress, fingertips grazing my panties lace.

He smiled. "Red lace. Very naughty little one."

His hands were in my wet pussy, one fingering grazing over my bud. I gasped, and turned away feeling ashamed to look at him.

"Eyes on me, red" he said.

I didn't want to.

"Obey me."

Slowly, I turned to look at him, at those eyes. Why was I acting this way? So childish like Dave had told me. I wanted more, I wanted this stranger more that anything.

"Take me somewhere," I whispered.

His eyes flashed in surprise but immediately it returned to normal. His hands pulled out of my panties and I didn't like it. "Let's go," he said

But why couldn't I walk? Why did my knees fail me now? He smirked as if he understood my predicament.

"What's wrong, little one?"

He knows what's wrong. He knew I was so wet and weak down there. Wicked bastard.

He laughed again and I swear, I have fallen in love with the sound of his laughter that I want to hear it every day. He carried me bridal style. I tried to refuse a little. "Don't be hard on yourself, red. We both know you can't walk because of... you know? Or would you rather I say it?

"No!!" Maybe I yelled a little bit louder than necessary. I didn't want to hear any shameless words.

"Then stay put, we will be there soon. Don't disobey me"

He took me to his car. It was a sleek, black Bugatti. He shoved the passenger door open and carefully placed me inside. Slowly, his face went down to my pussy. He breathed in as if he was inhaling my scent there too. That would be weird right? I saw how his eyes colour changed . A glint of blue and dark silver. It kept flickering continuously until it turned back to normal—dark blue. It was so fast that I thought I was seeing things. I shifted back a little to give him some space to get in. His eyes never left my pussy and they were very much exposed to his eyes. My panties soaked more under his gaze and he looked like he couldn't bear it anymore. After he closed the door, he forcefully dragged me into his laps. "Straddle me, red"

I looked at him confused, "But.. but I don't know how"

He breathed in again, and I thought that maybe he didn't like that I was inexperienced just like Dave didn't. I straddled him the way I thought I should. We were in the back seat , the leather cooled against my thighs as I rocked his lap. My soaked panties rubbed deliciously with every grind of my hips.

"Fuck, fuck fuck," he groaned and cursed in a raspy voice. I don't know why but that encouraged me to do more. His hands were on my hips, his mouth trailing fire down my neck. I've never felt this hot in my entire life.

"You are soaked for me?" he asked, dragging a finger along the wet crotch of my panties. My breath hitched. I stopped straddling him. I closed my eyes feeling his hot hands on my bare skin.

"Don't stop straddling. You are so ready, so fucking ready."

"Yes," I gasped, arching into him. I couldn't continue my little exercise of straddling him. How could I when his hands were doing those devilish things to me? "I want—"

"What do you want, baby?" He teased me, lips ghosting mine.

"You know what I want. Please give it to me." I begged, my voice was so low and I was surprised at how it sounded.

"No," he said. "I can't give you what you want if I don't know what you want, sexy"

"Please!!!" I begged again.

"Say it, little red"

I shook my head , too ashamed to say it. "I can't... I can't say it. I beg you please,"

His finger stroked me there, I threw my head back. "Ahhhh" I didn't know how sexy I sounded when I moaned until now.

"Tell me now," he stroked me harder, I couldn't bear it any more.

"I want your hands on me, inside me. Your mouth, your cock. Anything to release me from this tension and heat please do it. Please! "

His growl vibrated through me."Now was that so hard."

I don't know how he did it but he tore my panties off and pressed two fingers inside me , slow and deep.

I cried out, my nails digging into his shoulders. How is this so good?

"Gods, you are so tight."

"I feel so—ahhh—so good," I moaned, grinding down harder, chasing that rush.

"This is just a little goodness compared to what I will do to you"

He sucked my right nipple through the soaked fabric of my dress, tongue swirling, lips tugging.

"Shit!!" I cursed loudly. I don't curse. I don't fucking curse but now, I couldn't help it. He tore the upper part of my clothes off and I didn't know how he did it. My eyes were still closed. I just heard clothes tearing and figured it was mine.

I was about to open my eyes to see how he tore my clothes when—

"Oh fucking god" I threw my head back when I felt his hot lips on my nipple. He was sucking it slowly and then he was fast and wild. As he sucked my nipples, he still gave my pussy an equal amount of attention. I felt so hot. I felt something hot rush through me. I have never felt this feeling before .

I was spiraling. Was I about to cum? Is that what it is called? I wanted more. His lips on my nipples were so savage, so hot. He had inserted a second finger to my pussy and I was over the moon.

I loved everything he was doing and I didn't want him to stop. My hands were on his head pressing it to my breast, I wanted more. At first, I noticed how he was sweating and I just assumed it was because of the exercise we were performing. But then, he started heaving so much . Slowly, he stopped sucking my breast. I noticed how he felt uncomfortable.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my eyes open. I focused on how he was breathing, sweating. He didn't look at me. He just closed his eyes, inhaled deeply. He threw his head back.

"Hey, hey," I called him, my hands still on his head shaking it slightly. "Look at me"

He looked at me, and that's when I saw his eyes . They were fierce and scary. Something dark flickered in his eyes for a moment. His pupils were silver now. It was so beautiful and yet, so dangerous.

For some reason, I wasn't scared. I patted him slightly on the cheek. "Tell me, what's the problem?"

Suddenly, his skin was scorching. It was so sudden that I gasped in shock. I was frozen in confusion. A second ago, he was just sweating so much even though it wasn't normal as it was still raining heavily and the atmosphere was so cold. Now, his body was blazing with heat and his eyes became so weak that I was consumed with terror.

"Let's get you to the hospital, okay? I can't drive but I think I know a little about driving. You must be having a fever and the sooner you start treatment the better."

I touched him again, pouring all my concerns into that single touch. I wanted him to feel better and maybe that's what made me kiss his forehead.

His eyes widened in shock. I don't know why maybe because i kissed him which I don't know why I did. I just felt this urge to do so. Or maybe because I said I will drive. Is he scared that I might crash his expensive Bugatti or end his life?

"No, no. I promise I'm a good driver. I'm not that bad. I promise"

He shoved me off his laps, so hard. My breast bounced and his eyes went there for some seconds. His eyes filled with desire but there was something else. Pain. I saw how his veins bulged out. His skin was red.

I touched his head again and shit, my back of my hand burned. "Ouch!!"

His body radiated an unbearable heat, leaving me shaken and disoriented. 'Put yourself together, Zerina. Don't go blank this minute.'

"Hey let me take you to the hospital."

"Get out," he roared with difficulty.

"What? You need help. I can't leave you in this condition. There's no one here to take care of you. I might not give you much but I won't leave you here alone, stranger."

"Fuck, just go!!" his eyes blazed in anger and there was something that shifted there that was supposed to feel me with terror.

I glared at him back. "I said I'm not leaving "

He didn't say anything. He just got down from the car.

"You shouldn't be out in the cold in your condition!!" My words were shut out as he banged the door. I tried to fix my clothes in a way that will look decent enough to go out. I tucked my boobs back in my dress and tied little straps of the dress together.

The door behind me opened harshly. I turned back to see who it was. I was dragged out of the car and into the rain. What the....?

I was so confused and didn't understand what was happening. The stranger got into his car and zoomed off. Did he just leave me out here?

My brain was still trying to process what happened and nothing made sense.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I yelled back as the car sped off. I stared hard at it until it was out of sight. A drop of tear escaped my eyes. I sat hopelessly on a pavement . My eyes still staring ahead, at where the car was a minute ago. Sadness washed over me again.

"Today was a fucking joke," I cried harder now. I wanted to forget Dave . I wanted to have the wildest night of my life. Mission achieved , but I didn't feel any better. I felt like I was used and dumbed. My pride burned.

The rain poured as I walked home, barefooted, dress torn and without panties. My nipples were hard from the cold and humiliation.

Did he use me? Or he didn't want me to take care of him?

Did he get tired of me or maybe I was an amateur when it came to having sex? Didn't he like it? He still would've given me an explanation? Why did he look at me like that and leave me out here in the storm? No Jacket. Nothing.

I held my soaked shoes in my hands as I walked home in shame .

I wrapped my hands around myself and laughed. Bitter and broken.

Zerina's POV

The gate creaked loudly behind me as I stepped into the compound of the mansion that has never felt like home.

I was shivering so much, my clothes stuck to me like a second skin. It was torn at the hem and in places I don't want to think about. My feet were bare and cold, and aching from walking home. I still held my soaked shoes in my hands.

Every step echoed in the marble hallway, a cruel reminder that I've always been alone in a house filled with people who did nothing but hate me.

As I reached the main hall, I did all I've always done—hold my breath. I know they must be here waiting.

I first saw her luxury red chiffon dress. She was sitting quietly like a predator out for a hunt.

"Oh, look who finally decided to crawl back in," my stepmother snapped, her voice sharp and sweet. It reminded me of poisoned honey.

I lifted my head slowly, still shivering from the cold and now maybe fear. There she was —Florence. She was perfectly dressed in the chiffon dress, glass of red wine in hand. Her legs crossed while her eyes narrowed with disgust as they raked my body—from my torn red dress to my dirty little bare feet.

"Where are you coming from?" She spat, setting her wine down as she stood up gracefully as always. She approached me slowly like I'm a prey she has finally caught for a little midnight snack. Her heels clicked against the tiles. Each step made me scared. "Were you out whoring yourself again, huh? It must be nice spreading those legs wide. Wasn't it?"

"I didn't ..I wasn't — " My voice cracked. I couldn't look directly into her eyes. I kept bowing my head down.

"You didn't what? Didn't mean to look like a filthy tramp?" She hissed, circling me. My eyes kept following her every move. I was ready just incase she brought out her whip. It always landed on my back whether I was ready or not and I don't know how she was so swift. The pain was the only thing I felt before I even saw the whip.

"You reek of alcohol and do I smell cum? Hahaha." She threw her head back and laughed contentedly. " Look at you. Who would have expected such from you? What decent man would want someone like you? What decent man would have stooped so low to want you?”

I clenched my jaw and stared at my reflection from the mirrored tiles on the floor. Yeah, she is right. What decent man would ever want me? My skin felt raw, burning under her words. I was ashamed that she was right.

"Honestly, I really don't know why you are still here," she continued, voice rising above normal. "You should be out there, in the gutters where you belong—where you've always belonged. Not under this roof with my daughter and I."

"Mother, what happened to her dress?" Bianca's voice chimed in from the staircase. "It's practically see through and why is it torn at those places, Zerina? Were you trying hard to get the attention of my Dave? That's so embarrassing."

My teeth clenched at the mention of Dave's name. I raised my head and glared at her.

She laughed, softly and so free. Walking up to me in silk shorts and a cropped pajamas top. Her arms folded while she smirked at me like she was watching a scene she'd paid for. I felt betrayed. Not because she had slept with Dave and wasn't sorry about it, but because she knew how much I loved him and how he meant so much to me.

She was in her high fluffy bunny slippers so she was a little bit taller than me. "What were you doing, Zerina?" She taunted. "Why were you acting all innocent when you came over to Dave's house? As if you didn't know I was to become his fiancee?

My eyes widened. I stopped breathing. "How and when did this happen?"

She laughed. "Oh, I struck a nerve."

My chest tightened. I shook my head severally in disbelief. "No, no, please tell me it's not true. Please."

I dropped my shoes to the ground and squeezed the hem of my soaked dress. It can't be true, right? Dave can't be my sister's fiance. And even if he was he would've told me.

"Dave accepted daddy's proposal to marry me so that the company will be in partnership with the Luciano's. So yeah, I would no longer be called a Bradford soon but a Luciano. How does that sound, sis? Bianca Luciano. "She giggled and stared off like she was in some fantasy island while I was still in my island of disbelief.

" Please, stop saying those things, Bianca," I pleaded. " Please"

" My daughter will not stop," Florence said with a laugh before she looked at her daughter with proud admiration. Her facial expression changed to that of disgust when she turned to me. "You don't get to shut my daughter up, bitch. She's going to be the future of Luciano's and Bradford being one while you—you will always be the useless person you've always been."

Footsteps echoed. The air changed and I shivered from great fear this time. I know those footsteps, and learnt the sounds of them.

" What's going on here?"

Father's voice boomed from the hall.

My body froze.

I first saw his silver hair before his face. I've always loved those silver hair. They looked like they were not of this world.

He entered the room, his face stern. His suit looked exquisite in his talk lean form. His eyes scanned me, stepmother and Bianca.

Bianca sniffed and my head turned to her already knowing what she was about to do. Play the victim card.

She burst into tears. Her acting was top-notch. It was always like that. On cue.

"Daddy," she sobbed, running into his arms. "Zerina is trying to destroy my relationship with Dave. She came over to his house dressed like that!"

Father's eyes were on me again. The anger that reflected on them made me terrorized. "What?"

"She knows you want me to marry him," she sniffled into his chest. "She's been flirting with him behind my back. Just today.." She paused as if what she was about to say was unbelievable even to her. "Just today, she didn't know I was with Dave and she came to flirt with him, dad. The worst part is, she was dressed like this."

Bianca pointed at me.

"Zerina!!!"

'No father, that's a lie. A bold, stinging line. '

I chanted in my head but I couldn't firm the words with my mouth. I didn't speak. I couldn't.

Florence's eyes were watching me with a hidden warning. And I knew the consequences if I dared to defend myself.

Father walked to me, fury darkening his gaze. "Is that true?"

My mouth opened. Nothing came out. I shut it back and brought my head down staring down at my feet.

He stepped closer. "Answer my question"

Slowly, I lifted up my head. My eyes finally met with that of my dad's. He has never treated me right. They all have always treated me like I was some unfortunate misfortune. For some reason, I don't know why I still stick here with them. I still stayed despite the hurt, despite the pain they made me pass through. Maybe a part of me wanted them to acknowledge me as their daughter so we can live that happy family life I've always fantasized about. Can the universe be that good?

I was mute. I tried opening my mouth to speak. Nothing came out. I could barely breathe now. Florence's eyes were watching, daring me to defend myself.

"Don't keep mute when I ask you a question, Zerina. You weren't born dumb. Use your tongue before I cut it off for you since it's useless."

Father's voice was sharper and scarier making me flinch. Still shivering, I tried to talk.

"Dave—Dave and I have been dating for a year plus but.. but today I found .." I croaked, trying to keep the tears in as the images crashed in my head. ".. I found Bianca having sex with him."

The slap came fast. I was actually expecting it but it came before I could even prepare myself for the pain. My face snapped sideways from the force of it. My cheek throbbed and my lips split. Blood gushed out and I couldn't hold my tears from falling. My vision blurred. I didn't flinch , I was already getting used to it.

A year ago, I would've tried to fight back. Now I know one thing, speaking up made it worse. So now, I let the sting of the slap settle on my cheek.

Father's face was livid in anger. He was scarier than ever . I stood still while my heart raced .

"How dare you say such a thing against Bianca?" His voice boomed. "You will stay away from Dave. If Bianca so much as mentions your name and Dave's in the same sentence, you will regret it."

I nodded. Of course I nodded. What else was I supposed to do? It would be better I adhered to his instructions than receive more punishment for someone that doesn't deserve it.

Florence stepped forward, looking at me with that kind pity she always feigned when Father was around. She loved this part. My humiliation. Their victory.

"Honey," she signed heavily. "I think a little bit of time in 'the room' will make her understand better. Let her understand that this family will do everything to bring up moral children that don't flirt with their sister's fiancee."

My eyes widened at the mention of 'the room'.

"No, please, no!!" I cried out.

In an instant, my knees were on the ground. "Please, father, I beg you. Don't let them take me to that room. I can do any other punishment. I can vacuum the entire house, wash dishes. Anything but please, not that room. Father, please."

I begged not minding my state or how I've lost all the composure I never had.

"Don!!" He called one of the guards that came in with him. "Take her there." His voice was final.

"No, no, please, no." My tears flowed freely down my face. I crawled closer to my father's feet. I couldn't even reach his legs when I was grabbed from behind.

"I beg you please, don't do this to me, " I screamed. "I don't like that room, Father. Florence please."

I choked on my tears as my words fell on deaf ears.