A Pawn No More

The ride home was endless.

My father spoke not a word as the car pulled up before the Evahart estate. He did not even look at me. His jaw was set, his eyes on the road, as if turned away would keep him from exploding. My fingers clenched in my skirt all the way, the silence weighing on my ears.

By the time we opened the gates, my stomach churned. I knew what awaited me inside.

The minute we stepped in through the door, the air already stunk. My stepmother, Stacy, was at the stairs top, her hips clutched by hands. Her diamond choker sparkled against the contour of her neck, but she was a picture of rigidity and fury. Liora stood beside her, leaning on the railing, with a wistful smile as if she already knew everything.

Stacy's voice was boisterous the instant she spotted us. "So, it's true."

I didn't answer. I didn't have to.

She came down slowly, one great step after another on the marble floor. "Do you know what you've done, Nadira?"

I breathed in. I clenched my fists at my side.

Liora let out a soft laugh. "Of course she doesn't know. She never knows anything. She's always a waste."

I looked at her, and her smile spread further, cruel and smug. My heart burned, but I didn't move.

Father spoke at last, his voice low and husky. "She turned him down."

The room caught up with us for a moment. Then Stacy gasped, her eyes huge. "You—what?" She spun to face me, her face contorting. "You turned down Thane Orion Nightingale?"

I gritted my teeth and nodded. My throat was parched, but the word emerged. "Yes."

Stacy's hands trembled before she gestured towards me. "Ungrateful. You don't know what you've done to us. You don't know what this does to the Evaharts?!"

I gulped, but didn't back down. "It means nothing. I don't want him."

Liora laughed, flicking her hair back. "As if it was your decision. You're lucky he even said those things to you. I would've snapped him up in a second." She laughed again, a thin, burning sound. "No wonder everyone doesn't want you. You're pathetic."

She hurt my heart with what she said, but I didn't let her see me flinch. Not this time.

Stacy stepped closer, her heels clicking against the floor. "You will marry him, Nadira, or the Evaharts are done for! Do you understand? We took care of you. We taught you, clothed you, provided you with this roof to lie beneath and this is your gratitude? By throwing away the one good thing you ever had to present to this family?"

I stared at her, my lips trembling. "You didn't raise me. You never treated me like family."

Her face burnt red with anger. "How dare you—!"

Liora smiled beside me. "Finally defending yourself, huh? Too bad it won't last. You'll crawl back, you always do."

My heart ached, but I shook my head. "Not this time."

Stacy's tone emerged in a rise, hard and cold. "You'll do what I say. You'll marry Thane, if you want to or not."

I clenched my fists tighter. My nails dug into my flesh, but I didn't loosen up. "No. I won't."

The hard, cold silence that followed was suffocating, lying heavy over my ears.

For the first time in my life, I said it. Out loud.

Stacy's face twisted, her anger-reddened. "You selfish little brat! After all we've done for you—"

"What have you done for me?" I spoke in a roughened voice, but I stood to my feet. "You used me for everything. You pushed me around like a pawn on the board the whole time. I'm done. I won't be your tool anymore.".

Stacy stood rigid, her hand held up in the air like she was going to hit me. Her lips were clamped together in a line.

At last, Father did speak, his voice rough. "Enough."

But Stacy had one more thing to say. She spat out, "Think you can do without us? Without this family? You'll crawl on your knees begging, and when you do—don't expect mercy.".

I turned away. My chest ached, my throat was burning, but I didn't release. "I'll live on my own terms. Even if I endure, at least it will be my decision."

Liora laughed once more, slow and taunting. "Your decision? Please. Nobody wants you. Thane certainly doesn't. You're nothing, Nadira. Always nothing, fat pig."

Her words echoed in my ears, but I gagged them down. I would not cry. Not in front of them.

My father sighed heavily, rubbing his hand over his forehead. He looked older suddenly, his shoulders burdened. He did not defend me. He never did.

I stood transfixed, my hands shaking at my sides, my heart screaming in me. But I moved not. I did not retreat.

The creak of the front door broke the silence.

We all turned.

A man in black entered—tall, crisp, and unruffled. His eyes darted around the room before meeting mine. He strode in with quiet confidence, his feet firm on the marble.

It was Thane's aide.

Stacy's face eased instantly. She smoothed her dress, trying to be friendly. "Ah, Mr. Clay. What brings you here?"

He didn't look at her. His eyes were still on me.

He stopped just a few feet away. His voice was calm, but there was weight in it. “Miss Evahart. I’ve been asked to deliver a message.”

My heart skipped. My lips parted, but no sound came out.

He adjusted his glasses and spoke clearly. “Mr. Nightangle does not accept refusals. Consider carefully.”

The words hung heavy in the air, sharp and final.

Stacy gasped, her hand over her mouth. Liora's eyes went wide, then flashed with jealousy.

I stood stock still, my breath trapped in my throat.

Thane hadn't quit.