Chapter five

Chloe

I stormed out of Ethan’s room, anger evident on my face. I picked up my dress as I walked out and then didn't it in the hallway. The next second, the crazy bitch who shamelessly fingered herself in front of Ethan walked out as well. 

Purposely, she walked fast and walked past me before stopping right in front of me which made me pause. 

“Why are you running? Have you turned a chicken? I thought you were strong, looks like you are just a pathetic bitch.” She poked the last word and I scoffed. 

“Pathetic bitch? Baby girl, you want me to stoop to your level of shamelessness? Is that what you call being strong? Clearly, you didn't go through the four corners of school. A strong lady would never discredit herself that way. You lost every one of your value in there.” I rolled my eyes in disgust. I didn't think she knew what she looked like to me. 

“Me? You are here because you need money. Whose value is less? I did that for free but you have a price tag on yourself. He sees you as a sex toy, me as a love interest. Don't be stupid.” She poked my chest, purposefully taunting me. 

“And do you think you are still rich? You must think you are the famous Chloe Hathaway. My love, you are nothing now. You are nothing but the daughter of a fraudster. You better not go out there, you would be stoned. Mocked. Insulted. Then you will realize that you are nothing to everyone now.” She spat, stressing every word.

I held the hem of my gown, gazing with anger. The words penetrated my ears. They did something to me. How could someone as useless as Katherine speak to me like this? She should be kissing my feet and dying to brush my hair. 

I swallowed hard while thinking of a comeback. I cracked my head hard for something but nothing came. I was dejected. Humiliated. Embarrassed. Subjected to nothing. No, this had to be a dream. No. This couldn't be my life. No. 

“Katherine, stop!” A voice sounded behind me before footsteps followed. Raising my head, I saw the grandmother walking toward us. 

“Why should I stop? This bitch needs to know her place in this house.” Katherine rolled her sues with contempt. I stood aside, just staring. No words would form in my head, nothing would come out of my mouth. 

“Katherine, go away.” She commanded. Instantly, she turned and walked away. 

The grandmother returned her eyes to me, and she stared at me with scrutiny. 

“Where are you going?” She asked. 

“Away from here. Do you think I will continue to endure this? I don't want to be here anymore, I would rather stay in the street than be subjected to this kind of humiliation.” I smiled softly because it was better than tearing up. 

“You have to endure these things. Do you not have a goal? Endure it and achieve your goals. Sacrifices are pain and you have to endure them.” 

I raised my head and our gazes met but I averted, shaking my head. 

“This is not sacrifice. This is humiliation. Mockery. That man brought me here to make me feel worthless. In the end, I might never be myself again. I can't endure it, I am leaving.” I turned and walked away. 

Reaching the stairs, I heard a familiar voice which I chose to ignore. However, stepping into the living room, Katherine was sitting there and suddenly, she increased the volume of what she was listening to. 

There, I heard Greyson’s voice. My ex-boyfriend and the man I almost married. 

He got my attention and I paused to see why he was on television. To my utmost shock, he was being praised. The headline stated that he was a good, truthful, and honest man. He was a good example to the rest of the people because he did not take part in my father’s scamming plans rather he exposed him. 

My body tensed, and I felt like electricity was passing through me. And damn, it hurt. I breathed out but I wasn't breathing in. It was hard. It was hard to do something as simple as that. I never knew it was easy to forget how to breathe. I never knew my brain could be so shocked that it forgot how to freaking breath. 

“I told you, you are done for. You are gone in this world. Your name is gone. People would only remember you as the daughter of a fraudster.” She laughed, mockingly. 

Tears built in my eyes, because the words stung. I couldn't handle it. It was too much for me. And then I remember who I was. I was Chloe Hathaway. I wasn't weak. I wasn't small. Never. 

“Shut up!” I growled, before turning around. 

I would do anything it takes to bring my family’s name back. I would do the things I never thought I would ever do. I will partake in the humiliation Ethan set out for me. Also, I will find out why he hates me so much. Perhaps he was just a monster. I didn't know. 

The grandma was right, I have a goal and I wouldn't stop until I achieve it. I walked up the stairs, my legs hitting each one hard. When I got to the front of his door, I breathed in and out. Anxiety was kicking in, toiling with my thoughts. I swallowed and breathed in and out again. 

We got this Chloe. 

And with this, I opened the door and walked into the room. Ethan was working on his laptop, he faced a cold and I was bothered. 

“And why are you here, again?” He asked without raising his head to me. 

“Let’s start all over, I will do anything you want. Even if it means throwing my pride to the floor and allowing you to trample on it.” I blurted. After I said the words, I realized I had gone too far. I was feeding his stupid ego. 

“Who said I needed anything from you, Chloe?” He turned around, meeting my face. His green eyes bled disdain into mine. 

“I am ready to do what you want,” I said, swallowing the saliva that ceased to exist in my mouth. 

“I heard you the first time, Chloe. But who are you to tell me when you are ready or not? The deal is off, you don't command me, that's my thing to do. Now get out of my room before I make my guards take turns on you.” He let out, darkly. His tone penetrated my ears severely, making me aware that he was serious and that he could do what he had said. Chill ran up my spine and realization blended with the heart-wrenching chills, exaggerating the fear of defeat that I dreaded my whole life.