005

When I got to my room, I kicked off my shoes, dropped my bag, and pulled the tie out of my hair. I sat on the edge of the bed and for the next few minutes, I felt nothing. I sat there with my hands clasped, staring at my phone, debating whether or not to call my mother. The anger boiling inside of me was so intense that I knew if I called her now, I might say things I could never take back—but at that moment, I didn’t really care.

All my life, I lived for my family. Every bit of my savings and every paycheck had been spent on them. I looked after my younger siblings, even though the youngest was already fifteen. Yet, she still did this to me. If I didn't speak up now, I’d never get another chance to say my piece.

I dialed her number. It only rang twice before she picked up.

"Tilda! I was just about to call you," she said. "The electricity bill for this month is due, and I wanted to remind you to send money for the bills and upkeep for the kids."

I smiled. I can't believe this was the woman who had been paid to marry me off the woman I shamelessly called my mother and she was still doing this.

"The money you were paid to sell me... wasn’t that enough to cover your spending?" I asked.

"What money? Stop this, Matilda. Don't be so greedy."

"Can you even hear yourself?" I snapped. "I should have known. The day you pressured me to go on that blind date, I should have known something was up. But no, I thought since my father said I should go, I should at least try. You know, Mom, I actually loved him. I fell for him so deeply that I was too foolish to see it was all too good to be true. I didn't know you were fucking paid. How much did they pay you to ruin my life, Mom? How much!" I screamed into the phone.

"Instead of thanking me, you're being ungrateful," she said from the other end. "If it wasn't for me, you’d still be rotting at that part-time job. Look at you now. Look at us! We’re the talk of the town. Instead of thanking me, you're making a fool of yourself. What’s so wrong with it, huh?"

"Was Father aware of this? Would you be happy if you were in my position, Mom? Would you? You fucking ruined my life. I did everything to make sure you didn't lack a thing. You never even asked if I was okay. I was just a slave for all of you, and you thought you 'helped' me by selling me? I regret being born as your daughter. I regret having you as my mother. Don't ever call me for anything again. My siblings are old enough to take care of themselves; I gave them what I couldn't give myself. Our bond ended the day you decided to sell me. Goodbye, Mom."

"Are you"

I didn't let her finish. I ended the call, walked straight to the fireplace in my hotel room, and tossed the phone into the flames. You won't hurt me twice, I thought. All this time I’ve lived for you, but now I’m putting myself first.

I changed into my shorts and opened the door. Linda was standing there. I didn't know if she had just arrived or how long she’d been listening, but I didn't care. I would come clean to her later; for now, I just wanted her to enjoy her day.

"I was just about to call you to come have a drink with us," she said. "Your husband is waiting."

I followed her. "How is life as a married woman?" she asked.

"Just normal, like every other day. Trust me, you’ll enjoy it," I said, resting a hand on her shoulder.

When we got there, Maxine raised his hand, gesturing for me to sit with him. I looked right past him to where the other three men were sitting. I acted as if I hadn't seen him and went straight to sit with Alpha Rue. Maxine dropped his hand in shame, staring at me. I acted like I hadn't just caught him cheating.

"Are you using me without my consent?" Alpha Rue whispered in my ear.

"I'm only following my husband's word—to be free and enjoy our open marriage," I whispered back.

He giggled. "I’d like to see how far this goes, but I’m not free. Are you willing to pay whatever price I ask, human?"

"I’m quite rich, you know. Try me. Name your price," I countered.

Just then, the drinks arrived. I reached for one, but Alpha Rue took it first.

"Allow me to pour you a drink, princess." He opened it and I held out my champagne flute. As I drank, my eyes drifted to Maxine’s table. He looked furious. He was aggressively typing on his phone—I knew he was texting me, but my phone was already ash. He gestured toward my purse, signaling for me to check my phone, but I ignored him and turned back to Alpha Rue.

"So, how much do you want?" I asked, looking him in the eye.

"What if what I want doesn't have a price? Will you still give it to me?" he asked.

"Try me," I said seductively. I was already feeling tipsy, and my crush on Alpha Rue was spiraling out of control