Chapter 3: Sold

The next morning, I woke up to an empty chair.

Greco was gone.

I stared at it for a moment before looking away.

Of course he was. He had already done more than enough for me. Besides, he was Greco Ashworth. A billionaire. The CEO of one of the biggest companies in LA.

He wasn't going to sit around babysitting a stranger.

So why did I feel disappointed?

I pushed the thought aside and reached for my phone.

The moment the screen lit up, my stomach sank.

Twenty missed calls, and every single one of them were from Veronica_my stepmom.

"Shit."

My heart started beating faster. There was a text too from her, and I already knew it wasn't going to be anything good.

Still, my fingers hesitated before I opened it. ‘Useless brat. Make sure you're home by nine. Whatever it takes.’.

Fear got the better side of me. I checked the time.

8:30 a.m.

My eyes widened. No. No. No.

I threw the blanket off and scrambled out of bed. If I wasn't home by nine, Veronica would make my life a living hell.

I grabbed the medication from the bedside table and shoved it into my bag. My eyes landed on Greco's coat. And for some reason, I hesitated to carry it along.

I quickly folded it and stuffed it into my bag too. I didn't have time to think about Greco Ashworth. Not when Veronica was waiting.

I rushed out of the hospital. A few people glanced my way as I hurried through the lobby.

Heat rose to my cheeks from embarrament. I know I probably looked ridiculous. My hair was a tangled mess, my clothes were wrinkled and I hadn't showered.

Outside, I hailed a taxi.

The driver took one look at me through the rearview mirror and frowned. "Tough night?"

I let out a humorless laugh. "You could say that."

The ride felt like pure torture, and every few seconds, I checked the time.

8:47.

8:53.

8:57.

My heart pounded harder with each passing minute. When we finally pulled up in front of the house, the clock on my phone read 8:59.

One minute. I had just one minute left.

I reached for my wallet, but the driver shook his head.

"Don't worry about it."

"What?"

"You look like you need it more than I do."

For a moment, I just stared at him. Then I muttered, "Thank you."

I jumped out of the car and ran. I went through the gate, up the driveway, and straight through the front door.

A huge part of me was praying I won't see my stepmom waiting.

The moment I stepped inside, my stomach dropped.

Veronica sat on the couch waiting, with Clara beside her. It seemed like the universe was against me.

Their heads turned toward me at the same time. My gaze locked with Clara's for a second longer than usual.

Anger surged through me when I remember everything she did; Liam, the betrayal, and the lies. For a moment, I wanted to walk across the room and slap her. Instead, I clenched my fists at my side.

Veronica stood up, then approached me looking slowly.

My pulse thundered in my ear. A glance at the clock told me everything I needed to know.

9:01.

I was just one minute late, but just that one minute could change my fate.

Before I could speak or even explain myself, her hand connected with my cheek.

The slap echoed through the walls of the room. My head snapped to the side.

I barely had time to recover before the second slap came.

My eyes burned, tears threatening to spill, but I refused to cry. I couldn't show my weakness in front of them.

"I gave you one simple instruction," Veronica said coldly. "And somehow, you still managed to disappoint me."

I pressed my lips together.

"You useless bitch." She cursed.

Then something strange happened. Something she never did to me.

She smiled. It wasn't the normal kind of smile, it was the menacing kind, the one that never meant anything good.

"You know…you might actually be useful for once."

Useful?

Veronica hated me. She'd spent years making sure I knew exactly how worthless she thought I was.

So why was she looking at me like I suddenly mattered?

"By eleven, I want you dressed."

I frowned. "What?"

Her smile widened. “You heard me.”

"Clara will lend you a dress, and jewelry too."

Wait…

Why did she suddenly care about what I wear?

"Why?" I asked.

Veronica leaned back against the couch.

For a moment, she simply stared at me, before she spoke. "I've made arrangements."

A chill ran down my spine. "What kind of arrangements?"

"The kind that will solve all my problems."

My stomach twisted. "Ma'am—"

"I sold you."

The room went silent.

I stared at her, with my eyes widened. And a part me believed I didn't hear her properly.

"What?"

"I sold you."

Her voice remained calm, like she was discussing the weather.

"To a very powerful man."

My vision blurred, tears threatening to spill.

"No." The word left my mouth before I even realized. "I'm not going."

Veronica laughed. "You don't have much choice." She paused, then continued. "Unless you don't care about what your parents left behind."

My breath caught.

"What are you talking about?"

A knowing smile tugged at her lips. "You know…your mother left you a necklace."

My pulse stopped.

"And your father left you a ring."

No…she has to be lying.

"I don't believe you."

"Clara." Veronica called, but didn't take her eyes off me. "Get the red box from the attic."

Clara disappeared upstairs, and a few minutes later, she returned carrying an old wooden box.

My heart pounded, and a huge part of me prayed she was lying

Veronica lifted the lid, and the world stopped.

The necklace….my mother's necklace, beside it sat my father's ring.

I took a shaky step forward.

My eyes burned. For years, I thought they were gone.

Without thinking, I reached for them, but the lid snapped shut.

I froze.

Veronica smiled.

"If you want them..."

She rested a hand on top of the box.

"You know what you have to do."

My gaze stayed fixed on the box.

"I…”