I want to leave.

The driver immediately released me, stumbling back. “This lady owes me a hundred dollars!”

“A hundred?” I snapped. “You bloody thief! How can it be a hundred?”

“Pay me my money, lady!” the man barked.

“I’d rather be buried al—”

He stepped in front of me, halting me.

The world seemed to shrink as he loomed, his broad shoulders blocking the streetlight. Before I could process it, a bundle of cash flew past my face and landed against the driver’s chest.

“Go,” he said firmly, commanding.

The driver didn’t argue. He never even looked at me again.

Then those dark eyes turned on me. “Let’s go.”

“No,” I said instantly. “I’m not going anywhere with—”

His hand immediately wrapped around mine and he dragged me toward the car like I weighed nothing. I struggled, panic flooding my chest as I glanced around desperately, hoping that someone would witness this. Someone would come to my aid.

But there was an eerie silence that hung in the air, tainted by the hum of his car’s engine.

“Let me go!” I screamed. “I’ll call the police!”

He stopped so abruptly I nearly crashed into him.

In the next second, I was pressed against his chest, his grip was unyielding. His eyes were inches from mine, they were cold and unreadable.

“Do you think,” he said quietly, “I give a shit about you?”

My heart slammed wildly against my chest, but I lifted my chin anyway. “Then let me go.”

His hold tightened. “I wouldn’t care if you lived or died.”

The words sliced deep. Does my family even care if I lived or died?

“Then why the hell are you here?” I demanded.

His jaw flexed. “Because I don’t have a choice.”

I tried to pull free again. I failed desperately.

“So it’s either you get into the car right now on your own accord, or I make you.”

The threat didn’t go unnoticed, but I didn’t relent. “I am not going back there,” I said firmly.

And in one swift movement, he lifted me from the ground and slung me over his shoulder, a scream leaving my lips before I could even process it.

“This is assault! Stop harassing me!” I screamed as he carried me to the car, deaf to my protest.

I balled my hands into a fist, hitting his back, but he didn’t budge. He didn’t even slow down.

He opened the door and threw me into the back seat. The lock clicked before I could reach the handle.

I cursed under my breath as he entered the driver’s seat, putting the car into ignition.

“How can someone be so uncouth?” he said, keeping his eyes on the road.

I laughed bitterly. “So I should’ve let him rob me?”

“You attempted to flee without paying,” he replied coolly. “That makes you the thief.”

Anger began to simmer in me, “a hundred dollars for a ride that normally costs 5–10 dollars?? God forbid I don’t let myself get scammed.”

He scoffed. “You were behaving like an untrained animal in the street over money.”

My blood boiled. “Who are you calling an animal????”

He glanced at me through the rear view mirror. “How many animals do you see back there? Just one.”

My face burned. The anger I felt towards this arrogant bastard consumed me.

“I don’t care if you’re the son of a billionaire, or the owner of fucking New York,” I snapped, “you don’t get to talk to me like that!”

His gaze sharpened. “I know where you grew up. I understand why manners weren’t a priority.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m glad my father didn’t force the Castillo name on you,” he said coldly. “It would be humiliating for someone like you to carry it.”

My eyes stung in fury, but I would not cry. Not in front of him nor anyone else.

“I’d rather die a Freeman,” I spat, “than bear the name of corrupt people that steal our taxes for personal gain”

He laughed dryly. “And yet your mother jumped at the chance. You should learn a thing or two from her.”

I dug my nails into my laps as I tried to calm myself. But I was failing—miserably.

“She saw her shot to escape your poverty stricken life and she took it without a second thought, at least she composed herself as someone ‘somewhat’ worthy of our name.”

Somewhat?

We arrived at the gates of my new prison, and my heart grew heavy.

He pulled up the driveway and looked at me through the mirror again, “You will never belong in our world. Your stay here is only temporary, so enjoy it while it lasts.”

I balled my hands in a fist, heaving as I opened the door, slamming it as hard as I could.

That fucking bastard.

Who said I want to be here permanently anyways??

The sooner I leave this place, the better.

Mum!” I shouted as I stormed inside. “Mum!”

“Sapphire!” She called out, descending from the double staircase.

“You sold our home??” I huffed.

The guilt in her eyes already answered my question. “Sapphire I—”

“How could you sell our home??? The house you and dad built together! How could you—”

“Oh, will you hush it!” My grandma seeps into the conversation.

“Mama, you don’t have to—”

My grandma lifted a finger. “No, Evelyn, you’ve allowed her excesses far too much. I’ve had enough!”

She turned to me. “How much of an ingrate can you be?? Look at how God has changed our lives, and you dare complain??”

“Grandma, that was our home… that was our—”

“Emphasis on was Sapphire. This is your life now, start acting like it.” She said.

I turned to face my mum, my eyes already tearing up. “How could you allow this? Have you forgotten about dad so soon!”

“Enough Sapphire!” My mum said sharply. “Grandma’s right… this is our life now. Stop living in the past.”

My vision was beginning to blur. “It hasn’t even been more than two years, mum… because you’re with a rich man now, dad doesn’t mean shit anymore, huh?”

“Don’t.” My mum warned, but I continued anyways.

“You’ve forgotten so soon everything he did for you. For us. And I’m the ingrate??” I laughed, but it lacked any humor.

“Do you think it’s easy for me?? Everyday I see you is a constant reminder of—” she stopped herself, and her eyes widened. But it was too late.

I know what she wanted to say.

Before the tears could flow, I ran out.

“Sapphire! Sapphire!”

I didn’t stop. I just kept running till I reached the garden.

My heart ached as I collapsed into a corner, hugging my knees, rocking my trembling body as the tears broke free.

I knew what she wanted to say. Because she had said it before.

I was the constant reminder of what we were all trying to forget.

I was the one who killed my father.