Chapter 1

“I don’t want to get married! Dad, please don’t do this to me.” Cinthye Cator begged her father, her hands on his knee. Tears flooding down her weary face.

“You think you have a say on this Cinthye? You don’t have a choice.” Havana sneered behind her fathers back. The woman was sipping red wine while they both watched her plead. “You’re just adopted. That’s the only thing you can do in your life. You think being an actress will save you from humiliation? No. Father has decided so you will proceed whether you like it or not.” Havana Cator her stepsister and the favorite daughter. Their parents always choose her side even if she’s in the wrong they will tolerate everything Havana says.

“The Voss are the most dangerous mafia clan in the city. We can’t escape them, they won’t chase me for my lost bets because of one condition and that’s giving your hand to Damien Voss. He will never spare anyone who crosses him. So you Cinthye.” Their father pulled her hair, making her squirm. Cinthye tries to wiggle free but what can she do? She’s just too weak to fight them. No one will take her side. Maybe not in this life. “Be a good wife. Or else your mother will meet her grave early.”

Cinthye became pale as sheet, her mother is the only thing she had been holding on. The only thing that keeps her from escaping this hellhole. Even if she did her dirty she’s still her mother. She misses her so much. She miss the woman who raised her to be the independent individual she is now. Her mother is the only reason why she wanted to become an actress, to gather awards. She was waiting for the moment her mother would see her on the television and tell everybody that she is her daughter. Cinthye wanted her approval, her validation and that she did not fail as er daughter.

Her salary is barely enough for her mother’s chemotherapy. Now she begs her father, she will do whatever it takes to keep this family whole. And her mother to gain the vigor she had before. She just wanted to hear her mother say she’s proud of her. It aches so much every time Cintye sees big tubes connected to her frail and skeletal body. Cinthye rised, wiping her tear streaked face.

“I will do as you say Dad but promise me one thing.”

“You still have the audacity to request? Don’t make me laugh.” Havana snorted and poured wine on her clothes. Cinthye looked at her dead in the eye, not even fazed in her drenched clothing. Her makeup smudging on her hands and clothes. Their father cleared his throat.

“Just one, Cintye. If you don’t fulfill the end of the bargain I will throw you with your mother in that pit.”

Cinthye huffed and offered a smile.

“Take care of our family.” Their father laughed as looking at her like she said something funny. “Deal. Now clean yourself up.”

She slowly stood up, dusting off her clothes. She knew she didn’t look much. Given her career as an actress paparazzi would kill for the opportunity to see her like this and pose a few articles to stain her reputation. Cinthye promised herself she will dragged them to hell and back for them to successfully do that. Her phone vibrated.

“Miss Cinthye Cator your mother is unstable, delaying surgery will only aggravate her condition-“

Cinthye choked back a sob, she took her sling bag. Fumbling the inside to look for the keys.

“I will be there in ten. Do what you must.” With that she stepped on the pedal hard. Praying that her mother will survive, she doesn’t care about the honking horns behind her. A few sirens of police cars tailing her. It’s none of her business. They can arrest her or whatever. Her mother is in grave danger. She has no money. But that’s not what brings chills in her system, she will find ways. The most important thing is that she will have the complete family she wanted. To be a part of a family. To have it even if she knew it was driving her insane.

Their mother left them when they were young and came back after the man she eloped with died. Their father couldn’t forgive her, most of his days he would go to the casino to gamble and bring a woman with him. He was the type to do whatever he wanted, their mother served him, cooked and did everything until she became pregnant with Havana. At that time Cinthye was happy and she hoped that their lives would go back to normal. Somehow it did, but the parental love she wanted was not dedicated to her but to her sister Havana. It was painful, seeing what she wanted the most slipped through her fingers while she was silently craving on the sidelines. It didn’t matter to her as long as she sees them happy and complete. That was enough, probably much more.

Sometimes she just wants to rest…to runaway from all this chaos. But she can’t. Who will take care of the family she worked so hard to build? Anyone that isn’t her position will probably tell her she’s just too desperate. That’s the only thing she wants in her life. Not her status. Not her career. Not even romantic love. She just wants a family. Her very own family. She doesn’t care if she hurts herself or sacrifice. She’s just too fixed on it.

Cinthye waited outside the operation room door, waiting for her mother. She expected the hospital to do it’s thing. It’s job.

“Cinthye Cator?” A young woman sat next to her, she excitedly took pictures of her. She immediately cover her face with a mask. But it was too late. People were caving her in. Cinthye push through, she ran as fast as she could. It didn’t matter where her feet bring her to.

SHE JUST WANTS TO RUNAWAY.