Now, leave.

*Katherine*

I'm so happy that I'm getting married in two days and I'll finally be free from everything. The thought settles warm in my chest as I push open the boutique door and step out into the street. I keep touching the edge of the garment bag like I need to convince myself this is real.

My dream is finally close enough to touch. I giggle to myself while I walk, already picturing Derek’s face when I tell him how perfect the fitting went.

I’m almost floating as I get closer to the house. I hold the dress close with one hand and my phone with the other while I walk up the short path to the house we just bought. It still feels unreal that we own a place together.

I reach the front door and pause because It’s unlocked. We are both careful about leaving the door open. Not even if it's just when Derek wants to grab something from his car outside. 

A strange feeling creeps into my chest but I shake it off. After all, we were assured that the estate is very secure. 

“Babe,” I call out as I step inside. My voice echoes down the hallway. “Derek.”

But I get no answer. I slow down my steps as I head toward the master bedroom in delight.

When I reach the door, it flings open on its own, and the world stops instantly. 

Derek is naked in bed with a certain redhead straddling him. A certain bright redhead that I immediately recognize as Elena, my stepsister.

“Derek” I scream. My phone and the packaged dress slips from my hand and hits the floor hard. 

“How can you do this to me? You even brought her to our house.”

Tears hit my cheeks before I can breathe. The room starts spinning as my ears ring. My whole body immediately feels like it doesn't even know where to stand.

I’m turning twenty eight in a few days. On that birthday, I’m supposed to take over Lancaster Group of Companies in New York City. But I have to be married before that can happen. Marrying Derek was supposed to secure my position.

Derek and I had our amazing plans. Most importantly we had plans to celebrate my freedom from my stepfather and his family. I trusted him with everything. 

Now I just stand there, helpless, watching betrayal unfold right in front of me.

Suddenly Elena laughs out loud when Derek doesn't speak. She gets out of the bed in her undies. She smoothens her hair and walks toward me with that smug smile she always wears when she thinks she’s won.

“You will never have that company, you hear me?” she says folding her hands and standing so close to me that I can smell Derek's cologne on her. 

“You don’t know what you’re saying. It’s my inheritance” I answer. I’m trying to hold myself tall and look like I’m not shaking inside. 

“Derek, baby, ask this blonde human to leave us, now” Elena says, pouting.

Derek gets out of the bed without clothes. He doesn’t even look ashamed. He walks over and wraps an arm around her like they've been so in love.

“You’re just a pathetic little slut” he says. “You think I don’t know that you cheated on me?”

“I didn’t do anything” I shout back, then force myself to breathe. “You’re supposed to trust me. Not be in bed with my stepsister! We are getting married, Derek”

My whole body trembles. I glare at Elena. I’ve spent years letting her bully me. Years letting her act like everything should belong to her instead of me. I want to slap her. Scream at her. Something. But I’m too heartbroken to even move.

“You’re supposed to be my sister, Ele—” my words are cut shot when Derek's hand hands on my face. 

“Shut it” he says “Don’t you dare speak to my woman like that again” 

“Youuu—your woman?” I hold my cheek and sub quietly, feeling so defeated. 

He ignores my disbelief and continues talking “I saw everything. All the texts. I’ll never marry you. Nothing for you. I'll never marry a cheating sly. Now leave us alone.”

I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out. Only more tears.

“Let’s go, baby,” Elena says. She stares at me from head to toe like I’m dirt under her shoe.

Derek takes her hand and they walk back into the room. They slam the door in my face.

My tears rush out in a painful wave. My chest aches so badly I can barely stand. My dreams feel like they’re being crushed right inside my ribs. I lean against the wall, crying like someone whose entire world just got snatched away because it just did…

I can’t let them win. I whisper that to myself even though my voice is cracked and weak. I can’t let my father, my stepmother, Elena and now Derek take everything from me. But I don’t know what to do or how to fight all of them.

Still crying, I stumble out of the house and wipe my face enough to see the road. I have nowhere to go, so I head to the housing agent office. At least if I can secure the house documents, I’ll have somewhere to sleep.

By the time I walk into the office, my eyes sting from the tears. I wipe my face again before going to the counter.

“How can we help you, madam?” the lady agent with ponytail asks.

“I recently got an apartment with my boyfriend” I say. My voice cracks. “I want my original documents too.”

She types something. “Is it joint ownership?”

I nod. “Yes. We put the money together. He said he put both our names.”

She asks for the housing address. I give it to her.

Seconds later, she looks up. Her expression shifts to annoyance.

“Did you not say it was joint ownership?” she asks.

“Yes. I mean, It was supposed to be. That’s what he told me.”

“Madam, stop wasting my time. There’s only one name on this document, and it’s not yours.” she explains.

My throat tightens. “But I don't understand” I breathe in “Please check again. Maybe I mixed something up or... what’s the name there?”

She lets out a long breath. “Derek George.”

“Just that?” I whisper. My heart sinks even lower. “Only him?”

“Yes.”

My tears start a round two marathon and I let them slip out willingly. 

The agent frowns. “Don’t do that here. Please leave before I call security.”

I try to stand, but my knees feel weak. I take one step and stumble. My hands hit the floor but I don't feel any physical pain because the one I'm feeling inside me is way bigger. 

How is this happening to me? Just when I thought I was finally getting my life back, everything is slipping through my fingers.

I stay on the floor for a few seconds, breathing and trying not to scream out so loud.