Chapter 3: No Longer a Beacham

Octavia's POV

“What in the name of God is happening here?” my father's rumbling voice echoed in the room. His face contorted with impending rage.

Everything seemed to stop for a second. In all my 24 years on earth, I had never seen such anger in my parents. They had mocked my shape, insulted me publicly, and thrown me out to the wolves.

But this was different. “Octavia,” my father growled, and I shrieked. Fear seized me. I didn't know where to start. As I exchanged glances between my mom and Dad, I began to cry.

Then Sarah jumped in… “Mom, can you imagine? Octavia invited a mere security guard to her room to spend the night.”

I froze. “No… no…” I cried. “I swear I didn't. I don't…”

Before I finished, the man rose from the bed… “I'm so sorry, sir.” He said to my dad. “I tried to refuse. But Miss Octavia threatened to have me fired and make me unemployable in the city.”

Lies… I snapped. I looked at the man, devastated. “You're lying!” There was silence in the room.

He wouldn't meet my gaze. I quickly turned to my mom. “I didn't do that. I don't know how he got here.”

Sarah sighed. “Tsk tsk… you're lying, Octavia. Didn't you consent to the sex? Did a mere guard risk his life and career and come all the way to your room just to force himself on you? Besides, you're not even so attractive; get over yourself…”

I turned to my mom, but the anger in her eyes had never been this bad. “How could you?” Her voice was low and dangerous.

“How could you drag our family in the mud like this? Are you trying to punish us for calling you oversized? Are you trying to make your parents feel bad?”

Tears rolled down my cheeks. “Mom, please stop. I swear I didn't invite him. Last night, my drink must've been tampered with.”

Sarah raised her brow and stepped between my mom and me. “Liar!” she shrieked.

“I'm not lying…” I yelled back at her.

Slap! Her fist connected with my cheek. The room went silent.

I held my cheek and looked back, but tears followed. My parents stood behind, staring at us.

“If you want to self-destruct, fine, go ahead. But don't drag our family name with you, Octavia.” I gasped… she turned back to my Dad.

“Dad, there has to be a punishment for this. I keep telling you but you wouldn't listen. Octavia is getting out of hand. It's only a matter of time before she destroys our family legacy.”

I paused. Did my blood sister just condemn me to our parents? I couldn't believe my ears. I had fallen victim to Sarah's game again.

Tears rolled down my cheeks. “Sarah, why are you doing this? I'm your sister.” I spoke amid tears. But she didn't look.

The room went quiet, but the tension was left hanging.

“As for you, you're fired. Leave this house and this estate and never return. Find a living somewhere else.” My father said to the man.

I watched the man bow and began to dress up. I watched him run out of the room leaving all prying eyes on me.

My Dad came forward. His eyes never left me for a second. I saw the disgust in which he looked. I pleaded, shifted glances to my Mom but she hated me now. Sarah was not helping. I turned to Jake, but he too looked disgusted and looked away.

“Octavia Beacham?” My father's voice called, surprisingly calm. “You have shamed me today. And I shall never forgive you.”

I cried… “Daddy please…”

“Dress up, Octavia, pack as many things as you must. From today, you cease to be a Beacham. Because I, Duke Beacham, have disowned you. And I am stripping you of the title of heir to our family.”

My heart stopped.

“From this day forward, I have only one daughter, and she'll inherit everything I have. You'll get the sum of 5 million dollars in your account. I hope it's enough to help you.” He tapped my shoulder.

Then he turned to Sarah. “Be sure to escort Miss Octavia out before nightfall.” Sarah nodded, and my whole body vibrated.

As he turned to leave, I cried so loud that I fell flat on the floor clinging onto his trouser.

Sweat poured from my skin as my body burned with panic. This can't be… my cries didn't cease for a second.

“Daddy please. I don't have anywhere to go. I swear I'll be a good girl from now on. I'll do anything you tell me to do, Daddy. Please have mercy.” My tears flowed like a river as I rolled on the floor shamelessly.

But those who knew Duke Beacham would know that he never changes his mind. He shook me off and walked away.

When I tried to chase after him, Sarah blocked my path. “You filthy thing. Why are you trying to make Dad feel bad? Blame yourself. You disgust me. Tch tch.” She walked away. My Mom followed.

Jake came forward, and I thought he was going to be different. Perhaps he could speak on my behalf. He could tell them that I'm not a freak. I'm not a whore.

But Jake spat on the floor beside me. I saw the hate in his eyes, and I didn't know why. He had slept with my sister many times and still had the guts to judge me.

“Maybe Sarah was right. I should've left you long ago. You're no longer my wife, and we'll finalize our divorce before you leave the house.”

When the door shut behind him, it was like the whole world had rejected me.

I felt the walls closing in on me, suffocating me. And this may be it. The end of Octavia Beacham.

Later, I was in the bedroom arranging my clothes. Jake had brought the divorce papers and I signed. I didn't beg. I was tired of begging. I was tired of crying. It wouldn't change anything anyway.

I stayed in the room reminiscing about all the things I regret. Then the door opened and Sarah walked in majestically and closed the door behind her.

"Octavia Beacham, reduced to nothing... And soon, you'll be an ordinary girl with no status." Her words settled heavily on my chest.

"You didn't see this coming did you?" She asked. No response from me. I didn't even bother to look at her.

She came forward, grabbed my jaw and forced me to look in her eyes. "I did it, Octavia. Everything. The security guard came to your room to fuck you, because I paid him enough to never have to work in his life again."

"I added an aphrodisiac to your favourite wine to get you wired up. I did it all. And I knew Mom and Dad were coming today. I destroyed you."

A sharp pain struck my chest. My jaw dropped but I couldn't find words. Tears began to gather in my eyes again...

"You're probably wondering why I did all that," Sarah laughed. "You've forgotten, haven't you? That's what makes this even more interesting.”

I frowned. “What are you talking about?” A knot tightened in my chest.

She smirked… “Freshman Year?”

“Tyler??…”

I swallowed hard as she stepped closer…

“You were the special child. Intelligent, excellent academics. Our parents’ beloved. And I was just me. The daughter no one cared about. And then I found Tyler. He was the only source of joy I had. But you took him from me too.”

My brows furrowed deeply. “What are you talking about, Sarah?”

Her jaw clenched hard… “You knew Tyler was the boy I loved. And you stole him from me."

My blood froze in my veins. “What are you saying? Tyler chose me.”

She laughed, but I saw the pain and hate in her eyes.

“Exactly. He chose you. Just like everyone else always did.”

"You made me look bad, telling everybody that I was peeing on my bed at night. You humiliated me. This is my revenge. And I'm not even done."

My mouth dropped open… that's what this is all about?

Back in college, Sarah and I began to have little quarrels over Tyler. Then I made a joke about her peeing on her bed. Her friends laughed about it but that was it.

How could I know that my sister harboured hatred fueled by the incident and sought my destruction?

A few months into our relationship, Tyler and I were involved in an accident and he died. I was wounded but I survived. And today, I'm paying for the event from five years ago.

She grabbed my neck before I knew it… "When I'm done with you, you'll beg for a place in the world but you will be rejected everywhere. You have no idea what's coming. This is only the beginning..."

I whimpered, staring at the darkness in her heart that reflected in her eyes... "How could you do all these to me?"

Her smile came like a victory. "What? It's just a game, Octavia. If you're tired of playing then kneel at my feet. Beg me to stop. Then kiss my feet. Use that filthy tongue of yours to lick my shoes until it's wiped clean. Then maybe I'll reconsider."

I shook my head in refusal. I had lost my husband, my family, my inheritance.

Yet, Sarah wanted my dignity too. My knees trembled. But if I kneel, I accept defeat, and if I don't, I lose everything.

“What are you waiting for?” Sarah sneered in my face. “Get on your knees and beg for your life or you'll meet a fate far worse than a wretched beggar in the slums.”

Hot tears gathered in my eyes. The humiliation burned inside me, but I had no choice. Just as my knees began to bend, the blast of a trumpet echoed from outside.