A week later, Carson once again stood in front of the window of the study as the butler walked up to him. "Sir, I've arranged a job for Miss Pettis as you ordered, and she will only be paid one-third of the salary of an ordinary worker. What do you think?" The butler's voice came through, but Carson did not answer. He pressed his lips tightly and looked at the snow outside. "Had she realized her mistake?" He asked again after a long while, "Did she come to you?" "No," the butler answered. After a moment of silence, he opened his mouth again. "What is she doing?" His voice was full of suppressed anger. "Handling and moving the fresh seafood at the docks," the butler answered. He glanced at the butler, who guiltily lowered his head. He then picked up the car key. … The whole city was still sleeping at 4 o'clock in the morning. The lights were on at the docks in Cannesville. "Two more boxes of sea fish are here. Everly, go and deal with them!" The leader shouted. "
Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she did not stop working. She just put the dead fish aside and continued to catch other fish. She cried non-stop until someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her up. She saw his face through the tears in her eyes. Everly began to struggle away after catching a glance of who it was. "Let me go!" Her voice was low and hoarse, on the verge of cracking. The blood on her hand dripping onto the back of his hand had angered him further. She would rather work in a place like this than admit her mistakes? She would rather fake her death to get out of prison and rely on some other men than to yield to him! "What are you thinking?" He scolded her. His grip on her wrist was so hard that it was almost crushing her bones. When he found that she was still staring at the fish, the rage in him burned brighter. "Everly, do you really love money so much?" Everly was stunned. She then looked at him, tears streaming down from her eyes. She looked miserable.
The car sank as he slid in to sit beside her. She immediately wiped the blood on the corner of her lip with her hands that were covered in blood that she had coughed up earlier.The door closed with a slam and the car started to move. She was completely unprepared for it and fell onto the car floor. The sky outside the car windows was gradually brightening. The car drove through the early morning mist. She looked up toward Carson, who was staring down at her at that moment. His cold eyes were filled with hatred as though she was maggot writhing on the ground!“Where are you taking me?!” She asked. He did not answer, merely looking at her coldly. His thoughts were unfathomable. The scenery through the car windows behind him shifted unceasingly. His features under the dim yellow glow of the streetlights as the car entered a tunnel made her feel a sense of deja vu.She recalled the first time she had a cry after being bullied, it seemed like he brought her home with the same method.
He spat out that sentence unswervingly then left. She used all her might to get up, hoping to catch the last beam of light before the door shut. However, the door shut firmly before her with a slam.“Open the door!” She called out hoarsely, reaching her hands out to knock the door relentlessly. Her voice echoed shrilly in the room, but no one answered. Another flash of lightning and thunder lit up the ground, covered in splotches of her blood and the walls covered in photos.She seemed to have returned to prison once again where those women would beat and kick her, stripping her of her coat before locking her in the bathroom for three days and three nights.“I beg you, please let me out…”She cried as she begged, beating against the door. It was exactly the same as it was back then. There was no response, in fact, she could almost hear the sound of their laughter ringing in her ears.“What about Miss Pettis? Hahaha, that’s ancient history. She’s our slave now! Mr. Baxter told us t
So many years have gone by and she was tired of saying this. It was the only truth she had left.“Everly Pettis! We have all the evidence that you killed my sister. This is the truth! They sentenced you to ten years back then and sneaking out like this is basically prison break!”Lisa’s shrill voice rang out, “Carson told me all about you. I promised him that I wouldn’t sue you if you admitted that you were wrong and were willing to learn from your mistakes. Or else, you can rot in prison for the rest of your life!”“I’ve done nothing wrong.” Her gaze was unfocused as she repeated that line, just as she did countless times over the past four years.“You!”Lisa grabbed her and tried to hit her but stopped just before she touched Everly’s face. She threw Everly against the wall. Everly watched as Lisa cried toward the person who stood coldly to one side, observing everything. “I’m sorry, Carson. I… As soon as I think about my sister…”Everly watched as Lisa’s tears fell onto his
The snow was getting heavier and heavier. Everly walked down the long alley and headed towards Granny Preston’s place again.In the beginning, she just wanted to take care of Granny Preston for Bonnie. However, as time passed, she had somewhat become the pillar of support for Everly.She had no home anymore, and she had nothing more than this borrowed life. The dilapidated but lit house was like a lamp for her, sustaining the last warmth in her heart.She squeezed the money in her hand, and the corner of her lips curved slightly. She breathed a breath of white mist amidst the icy cold air. Hastily, she moved to the back of the alley and craned her neck quietly. She wanted to stuff the money through the crack of the door as before, but she found that the door was wide open this time.Moreover, she saw a pair of feet!It was Granny Preston!She was lying on the ground unconscious!“Granny!” She did not care much and ran directly towards Granny Preston. Everly shook her body slight
She wailed even more now.She hated this feeling!Everything happened because of him, but he appeared when she was most vulnerable, giving her a moment of tenderness, making her longing for more. She hated her own cowardice.She hated herself for not remembering the pain, and for not learning from the past!Why did she fall again just by his slightest act of tenderness and one gaze?Her heart seemed to be held instantaneously, and she could not breathe. She saw his lips open and close, and his voice was heard, “Follow me back.”It was exactly the same many years ago.She clenched her fists and trembled. The wounds burst open again, staining the bandage a scarlet hue. She gritted her teeth, and with dire determination, she turned to flee.She could not go back with him. He only wanted her to make atonement, but she needed to earn more money. Granny Preston needed money to stay alive!She could not let him know about Granny Preston. He was ruthless, and he would definitely harm
“Miss…” The butler tried to stop her but to no avail. Two bodyguards, too, tried to do the same and were faced with her reprimands. “Step aside!”“Miss Pettis, please don’t make it difficult for us,” pleaded one of the bodyguards.“I said, step aside!” She ordered with a higher pitch. Her tone was laced with madness.The bodyguards had their eyes fixed on someone behind her. They stayed in her way without saying a word.She knew who they were looking at. Carson had always been a control freak. He controlled anything and everything, including her. However, why did he have to do this to her if he did not love her?He knew very well that his actions could result in a misunderstanding, making her think that he cared for her. Everly’s heart ached. She felt acid reflux in her stomach and her throat burned. With her eyes closed, she got rid of distractions and recollected herself. When she finally reopened her eyes, it was filled with determination. Without batting an eye on Carson,