LOGINROSALINE PIERCE
As I shredded the loose veneer on the table beneath me, the press-on nail on my middle finger peeled off, but I easily ignored it. The current battle I am dealing with is bigger than a fashion disaster.
“I cannot believe Nathaniel’s father is doing nothing about this.” I almost screamed while my feet continued to dance with impatience. “Is it okay for them to treat me this way because of that gold-digging, b*st*rd-breeding, lying b*tch?”
“My sweetheart.” Dad stepped closer to soothe my fury. “You need to relax. You could ruin your health.”
What the heck is he saying? How can I relax?
“Dad.” I sneered at his image in the mirror in front of us. “Their wedding is tomorrow. Tomorrow. How can that be? What will become of me?”
“Darling, we are not going to sit back and allow that fool to steal your spot. Do you not trust your Dad? I will never let you suffer.”
The smile on his face oozed boldness. I decided to trust that smile, and without much fuss, I relaxed a bit. Then, I asked, “Do you have a plan?”
“To destroy their wedding, of course.”
That is exciting. “Okay. Okay. Are we going to kidnap her or something?”
“Or something,” he replied quite evilly, and I laughed. The thrill from that statement alone was amazing. My father acknowledged my smile as he continued, “If we are unable to work something out before the wedding, we can always make a move after the ceremony.”
“It works, Dad. Whatever you are thinking works.”
He patted my shoulders. “I still have the contact info of that retired cop. I heard he takes on dirty jobs now. He will be of great help.”
With renewed confidence, I stared at my image. “Sarah. You cannot escape this. You think you can steal my spot and walk away freely? No. I will make sure you pay. Don't hate me because you've brought this upon yourself.”
A knock interrupted my declarations. It was one of the men Nathaniel sent to pick up Sarah and her daughter. He came to tell us that they were about to leave.
I ignored the man while my father briefly gave a response. What good will it do to witness my younger sister enjoying the things meant for me?
“Dad?” I said after seconds of silence had passed.
“Yes, my daughter?”
“Our plan must not flop. I must get married to Nathaniel by any means possible. I must not lose him.”
“If our plans flop, I will cut off my arm.”
“Come on, Dad. That's too much.”
“Is it?” He laughed, but I knew he meant it. That is how much he loves me. “Don't mind my silly talk.”
“I am serious, Dad. Don't say that again. This obstacle won't be hard to conquer. After all, I am a high-calibre woman. Nathaniel won't be able to ignore me for too long.”
Yes…
Sarah, hang on to him as much as you can. I will take back what's mine, and I will kick you to the curb where you have always belonged.
SARAH PIERCEI clocked out on time, so I did not miss Raya’s drop-off by the school bus. “Mummy!” “My baby!” I lifted her into my arms and turned to her teacher, a friendly woman who heartily welcomed me three days ago when I came to inquire about the school. After collecting Raya’s lunch box and school bag, I said, “Thank you, Miss Sunshine. How did she do? Did she cry again?” Raya cried a lot yesterday, so much that I cried and struggled with an intense headache after. “Yes, Raya is adjusting well. I was proud of how she mingled with everyone today. She also seems to respect personal space.” Miss Sunshine flashed a grin that made Raya giggle. “I am very proud of her.”I breathed in relief. “That is good. I was constantly worried that she was struggling.”“However,” her tone increased as noise from the toddlers in the bus almost overpowered our conversation, “towards the end, something odd happened.”I felt a pang in my chest and hoped it wasn’t something terrible. “Is it bad?”“
NATHANIEL STORM“What did you just say? “ I questioned the report the head of bodyguards just gave. “Rosaline Pierce confronted Miss Sarah at her job,” the man repeated. “Rosaline Pierce.” I crumpled the paper beneath my hand. “She keeps crossing her boundary. How do I get rid of her?”“Killing her is not an option,” Amir, my secretary, reminded me, and I almost sighed. One time. Just one time, I suggested murdering a business rival, and it was a joke. Amir then continued, “How about giving the Pierce family what they want?”“Hmm.” I fixed my eyes on his low cut. “Going back to our initial plan?” My gaze flickered to his eyes, which were wondering if his idea was good enough. “That could work.”He breathed hard; anyone passing by would think I just put him through the worst test. I sometimes wonder why I was graced with a dramatic secretary. “I will handle everything, Mr. Storm,” Amir replied. “I will report back before the end of work.”“I look forward to it.” I turned to the bo
SARAH PIERCEFive years ago, a twenty-year-old me joyously escaped my father's house in Lanville city thanks to a bachelor's degree programme I got in another country. This new country, United Zenna, marked a new beginning for me and my need to heal from the toxicity I grew up in. And the universe listened to my innermost desire, because two months into my programme, I met Nathaniel Storm, a businessman who had come to my school to deliver a speech. He was twenty-six years old then, and his company was making enviable strides in the entertainment industry.Like a dream, Nathaniel — who had asked for my number to replace the shirt he ruined with iced coffee — became a steady presence in my life.At first, I was suspicious of his affections, which deepened each time we met. I even thought it was illegal for a person to look at me the way he did. But my heart learned to trust him, and I realised that I desired him too. We started dating after three months. Nathaniel, to me, was like
SARAH PIERCE“We need to talk,” Nathaniel’s voice zapped me out of focusing on the toaster.“I have said all that needs to be said,” I replied after a deep breath, my head not bothering to turn towards him. “No. There is a lot to be discussed.” He walked in, and I made myself alert, my eyes still not lifting off the toaster. “Miss Pierce.”“Just go away.”He did not listen. He soon stood next to me, and my anger towards him refused to arrive on time. I think the scent of his cologne managed to infiltrate my guard. That scent alone reminded me of our happy days, and I craved to go back to those times.Oh shit. I must be losing it. That cologne shouldn’t still pull at my heart. Not after everythingAnyway, I was greatly ashamed of those weak thoughts, so I lowered my head till I was courageous enough to face the man I used to love- the man I used to be sure loved me as well. “We,” his breath tickled my shoulder. Wearing a tank top was a bad idea, “need to talk.”‘Talk about what?’ I c
SARAH PIERCE“Argh!” I squeezed my hair after Raya and I entered our room. How did we know it was meant for us? There was a silly, small signboard in front of the door. I almost thought I was at a club house showing me to the VIP section. “What was I thinking?” I sat on the carpeted floor. “It will take one million years to make that kind of money.”“Mummy?”“Mummy is thinking, Raya.” I sighed. “God, what do I do? I almost died paying off the other debt. How do I deal with this?” My heart squeezed at the thought of how hellish the past three years were for me. But I quickly erased the thought to avoid drowning into the depression that almost killed me after I had Raya. “Where do I start from?”“Mummy, I am hungry.”“Raya.” I chuckled with disbelief and a little bit of relief. “Five million dollars must mean nothing to you. Hmm. I envy you, my daughter.”“Five?” Raya spread her fingers and glanced at it. “Yes, five.”“Pix. Seven. Eight?”I laughed, but it was short-lived. The price of
SARAH PIERCEAfter leaving that hellish lunch, Raya and I relaxed in the room, watching animations. And I fell asleep while admiring the emotions in her babyish eyes as the wonderful colours on the screen intrigued her. Little did I know that I would sleep for a long time. When I woke up, it was daylight, Raya was standing at the foot of the bed, her small hands struggling with her empty toothbrush. “Huh…” Spending two nights in a fancy and serene space is definitely the recipe I needed to heal the burdening tiredness that I have been carrying around for months. If only I could stay here forever. “Raya,” I called out to my baby. “There’s no toothpaste on it.”“You…” Her lips formed a pout. “You sleep long, Mummy.”“Yes.” I crawled towards her and collected the brush. “I should have woken up earlier.” My eyes began searching for my phone. “So that my baby could brush and bathe.” I found the phone on the floor. I must have kicked it while I was sleeping. I bent to pick it up, checked







