His Miracle, Her Pride

Miracle's POV

"Let's get married."

"What? Are you crazy?!" I exclaimed with a laugh when Mark, my boyfriend of two years, suddenly showed up in front of our house.

"I'm serious! Don't you want to see how it will end? The future is uncertain, Miracle. We could die tomorrow so let's not live with regret." He said, trying to catch his breath and I realized how serious he was.

"B-But I'm only turning thirty and I haven't achieved my dream, Mark. I—"

"Do you want to or not? Because it's you I want to spend the rest of my life with, Miracle. I promise I will give you everything and you don't have to work anymore! Give up your dream and be with me!"

He continued to shake me and I couldn't stop laughing.

"Okay! I will marry you!" I finally gave in and he screamed in happiness before lifting me off the ground, our lips meeting in a kiss.

I blinked and tilted my head to get rid of the sudden memory five years ago, not feeling the happiness I felt that moment and only feeling nothing but regret. I looked at the wedding ring I removed from my finger, and blamed it for the memory. I placed it on top of my vanity table and picked up the lipstick to finish my makeup.

I took a moment to stare at myself and I admit that sometimes, I no longer recognize myself. The bubbly, optimistic girl with a lot of dreams and a smile on her face is now replaced by a shell of a woman, void of any emotions.

Satisfied with how I look, I left the room I share with my husband and climbed down the stairs, pausing to kiss my mother goodbye and like usual, she didn't give any response and remained staring at nothing. I'm not even sure if she can still recognize me because of her condition, but she has all I have left and she's the reason I'm enduring all of this.

"You better behave yourself, Miracle. Jake Andrews is an important client and we need his share in the project we're working on." My Dad, who was sitting on the sofa, warned me and I didn't bother sparing him a glance or responding.

"I love you, Mom." I whispered to my mom and left the mansion and went to the restaurant where I met Jake Andrews, my client for tonight.

"How are you? Wow, you look... magnificent." He complimented me and I allowed him to help me sit and kiss my cheeks.

"I'm good, Jake. You don't look so bad yourself." I returned the compliment with a permanent fake smile plastered on my face.

I can't even remember the last time I smiled genuinely.

Three years after marriage, Mark and my Dad forced me to be an escort to entertain their business partners and used my mother to make me do what they wanted. I flirt with them, entertain them, and even let them touch me while pretending to be single, but I never allow them to go beyond that even when my own husband and father isn't preventing me from doing so. I already fell at the deepest part of hell and I will not taint my body for them.

The dinner started with him trying to get in my pants and me entertaining his interest in me, but like usual, I just did my best to reel him in, and enticed him to work with us and sign the document. Once I successfully had the document in hand, I made a random excuse and left before he could do something to me. I am lucky to save myself every time, but I know one day, one of them might do something terrible to me to get what they want.

When I got home, I threw the document on the table, my mood turning sour when I saw Delilah, my father's mistress or 'second wife' as what she likes to address herself, but I will never see her like that. For me, she will always be that slūt who seduced my father and caused my mother to have an accident and end up the way she was now. I hate her and my father with every part of me for what they did to my mother, yet, he still wants to use my mother against me. Leaving was never an option. I tried once, but it didn't end well and since then, they had a maid watch over her 24/7.

"There's your deal." I said coldly and Delilah threw me a look of distaste.

"Now what kind of attitude is that? Is that any way to treat your father?"

I ignored her like I always do and went upstairs to Mark and I's room, my footsteps faltered a little when I saw the door was ajar, and I could hear the bed squeaking. I took a step closer and peeked through, my hand flying to my mouth in shock and tears automatically gathered in my eyes.

I suspected it. I already suspected that he has someone new because of how he treats me and how he rarely touches me, still, I foolishly thought he still loved me like how I still stupidly love him. The worst part is, I didn't expect it to be my step-sister, Blair.