Chapter 3

If Dad could use my biological mother to manipulate me once, he could use her to control me for the rest of my life.

I wasn't stupid enough to trust some damn release agreement.

Besides, I was certain that Dad would never let the matter become public for the sake of the Sanders family's reputation.

I quietly packed my things. By the time I checked the clock again, the ball was already over.

My phone on the table had been vibrating nonstop.

It was Jonathan. Message after message appeared on the screen as he tried to explain the situation.

"Thea, pick up the phone!

"We need to talk. Things aren't what you think.

"Thea, I said I'd marry you tomorrow, and I meant it. Where are you? I'll come find you."

I reached for the phone to silence it, but one of the bodyguards snatched it away first.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Sanders. Mr. Sanders wants you to focus on preparing for the wedding.

"As for your phone, the Fairmont family will provide you with a new one. Their people have already arrived."

I glanced at the time.

It was a little past midnight, and the Fairmonts had arrived far sooner than I'd expected.

I was still trying to think of a way to buy myself more time when a knock sounded at the door.

Raine leaned against the doorframe, giving the already-open door a few perfunctory knocks.

"Congratulations, Thea," she drawled. "Dad said you've agreed to marry into the Fairmont family.

"But I heard your future husband lost one eye when he was younger, and that he has quite the temper. Apparently, his first three wives all died at his hands.

"You'd better hang in there. At the very least, try to stay alive until Jonathan and I get married. I'd love to invite you to the wedding."

I gave her a look and wasted no time in dashing her hopes.

"Jonathan isn't going to marry you."

The smug smile on Raine's face froze.

"He doesn't love you," I continued. "I don't know what happened or why he suddenly changed his mind, but you know as well as I do that even without me, Jonathan would never marry you."

Her expression shifted, as though I'd hit a nerve.

"So what?" she shot back, forcing a mocking smile. "At least I'm not the one being sent away like some unwanted trash. I'm the Sanders family's real daughter!"

I flashed her a small smile and looked past her. Outside the mansion, the sky was pitch-black, rain lashing against the windows.

"Raine, want to make a bet? Being a real Sanders won't save you. Your fate won't be much better than mine.

"Because to Keagan, we're both nothing more than bargaining chips. He'll marry us off to whoever has the most to offer.

"If Jonathan doesn't marry you, you'll just be married off to someone else, won't you?"

Anger flashed in Raine's eyes.

"That's complete nonsense!" she hissed.

"It's the youngest son of the Jarrow family, isn't it?" I folded my arms and sneered. "He abused drugs until both his legs were ruined, and he's been confined to a wheelchair ever since.

"Raine, is that really the man you're going to marry? Honestly, I'd rather—"

"You bitch!"

Seething with rage, Raine lunged at me and struck me hard across the face.

The blow sent me stumbling sideways. My back slammed into the cold, hard corner of the mahogany wardrobe with a dull thud, and I crashed onto the carpet.

I covered my rapidly swelling cheek with my left hand, lowering my head as my hair fell across my face.

It hurt.

But deep down, I was completely calm.

I'd finally managed to make Raine lose her temper.