Even your family will betray you.

I wasted no time getting ready to go to the company that was taking away from me. I had to go and see Kane, get my inheritance, and invest it as soon as possible.

I took a taxi to the company and I couldn’t stop thinking about last night, my first sex dream with Duke. I couldn’t stop thinking about how his lips would have felt so good on my nipples. But I can’t be thinking about that now, it’s wasted time.

“Time is expensive, you know.”

My father will always say when he sees that I’m being sluggish. He hates it when I’m like that.

I got downstairs, didn’t bother with breakfast, mom kissed me goodbye, and wished me good luck.

When I got to the Cortez empire, there were a lot of changes that Kane had made, mostly with the employees, they weren’t the ones who were working with my father and me.

Because I know my way around the building, I knew that Kane would be in my father’s office. I wanted to walk straight in, but a lady stopped me, she’s his assistant.

She called him and he asked her to let me in. I was right behind her, and the way she was throwing her snatched waist left and right, I was scared for her not to break it.

We walked into my father’s office and Kane was there, his feet crossed on the table, the expensive painting that used to be there, wasn’t there again. The office was looking very different, the smell wasn’t pleasant at all, with weed oozing out, and the office was stuffy.

“Mr Kane, she’s the one who wanted to see you.”

“Ahh, Ashley, next time make an appointment before coming here. I don’t want to throw you out and look like the bad guy.”

Rude, I feel like I should talk back to him, but it’s useful to talk to empty heads.

“I’m here to access my percent as promised, I’m married and this is the certificate.”

He wasn’t even paying attention to what I was saying, Kane and his assistant were naughty and irritating right in front of me. He chuckled and slapped her right on her ass, oh, they are definitely fucking.

“Uhm, what?”

I hate repeating myself, it’s like something is crawling under my skin and I need to kill it. I wouldn’t kill Kane because he’s the one holding my inheritance.

“I'm here to get my inheritance.”

“Yeah, I heard you the first time. You said you’re married?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Ahh, you must be really desperate Ashley.”

Yes, I am, now please give me what I came here for and let me get the hell out of here, I’m suffocating.

“Unfortunately, there has been a new development.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I hate to explain myself, but for your dumb sake, I will. You have to be married for four years before you can get that inheritance of yours.”

My next feeling was shock, followed closely by a sense of disbelief. For a moment, the mind struggles to process what it has just heard, everything feels unreal, as if time has slowed or the world has gone quiet.

“What did you just say?”

“I hate to repeat myself, and from the look on your face, you heard me clearly.”

Oh God no, this cannot be happening.

“Kane please I need this, I need to use it for my Mom and me to survive. We don’t have anything else. I promise once you get it to me, you will never see me again.”

“Oh please, I’ve heard that before. Just get out of my sight before I throw you out and you better not show your face again.”

Even my tears and pleading didn’t stop Kane from ordering his guards to take me out.

I couldn’t stay out in front of the company crying, people were looking at me. I stopped a taxi and rushed back home. I want my mother.

“Mom, Kane is still cutting me off, can you believe it? I got married and I still don’t get the small insult from that man.”

I’m complaining to my mom, then I notice she’s parking her stuff.

“Mom, where are you going?”

“Oh I didn’t know you would be coming home early, how did the meeting with Kane go?”

“Uhm, he didn’t give me access to it.”

“Oh, that’s sad. You will still be married to Duke, so you won't be alone.”

Alone?

“What do you mean by that Mom?”

“Ashley, I’m sorry. You know I’m not meant for the poor, lacking lifestyle. And your marriage to Duke wouldn’t help. So I thought maybe we should go our separate ways.”

“Are you throwing me out?”

“No Ashley, I’m moving out.”

“So you’re abandoning me.”

“No Ashley, you can’t take care of the two of us.”

This can’t be happening, both my parents can’t just abandon and betray me.

“Donna offered to help me with a job, I got my car back and some money too you know.”

“She gave you all that, under what condition, Mom?”

“Ashley, don’t be like that.”

“What was the condition, Mom?”

“I have to leave you, Ashley.”

How is it possible that my mom would abandon me with the blink of an eye? How could she do this to me?

“It’s nothing personal, Ashley, I’m sure you will understand.”

Nothing personal? She just said the most depressing and betraying words and it’s not personal?

What would happen to me now? Why is the world turning its wicked side to me?

I sink into the couch close to me, the air in the room is suffocating me with betrayal. My mother kissed me on my head and wished me well. She left me standing where promises were once made, she’s leaving me in pain, the room is growing cold, I don’t know what I’m feeling if not betrayal.

“The ones who will abandon you without thinking twice about it, are the ones closest to you Ashley, trust no one but your family.”

My father's words echo in my quiet mind, it’s not comforting, it increases my anger and frustration.