Chapter 3

By the time I was headed downstairs with my bags, I ran into Audrey, hobbling through the door.

Her clothes were ripped, as if someone had yanked them apart. Bruises covered her arms and legs.

But her face was practically glowing.

"Mom, Dad," she said proudly, "Michael wore me out. But I think it's done. We're good now."

I could tell by her smirk that she had no idea what really happened after she got knocked out. She thought she'd had some kind of steamy, hot lovemaking session with Michael.

Well, I couldn't wait to see the grin being wiped from her face when the truth came crashing down.

-

Audrey glanced at me with that same smug look, then noticed the suitcase in my hand. Her lips curled into a cold little smile.

"Are you leaving?" she asked, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "My wedding's pretty much set. But you're not getting any younger, and there's still no ring on your finger. I don't want you spending the rest of your life alone."

Her eyes lit up suddenly, and she clapped her hands together. "How about this? I'll introduce you to someone!"

"No, thanks," I said flatly.

Her eyes filled with fake tears instantly. She turned to our parents, whining as if she'd been wronged.

"Even though Mr. Strickland and I have done the deed, I hope we'll organize a grand wedding, so people won't look down on me.

"I found Aurora a match. The guy's willing to give us 200 thousand dollars as a wedding gift!"

The moment my mother heard that number, her eyes lit up. But when she saw I wasn't excited, she slapped me across the face hard, then she jabbed a finger in my face.

"Since when do you get to talk back in this house?" she snapped.

"This marriage is perfect for you! As your parents, we get to decide. You'll meet him, marry him, and bring that money home so your sister's wedding doesn't look shabby!"

I laughed, but there was no humor in it, just pure anger bubbling up. I couldn't believe they were forcing me to marry a stranger for this.

I snapped, "She wants to marry rich—what's that got to do with me?

"Do you even know who the guy is? It's Mr. Meyer, a 60-year-old man! If you're that desperate for the money, why don't you divorce Dad and marry him yourself? Oh, wait—you don't want to? Then don't shove me into hell just because you're too scared to go!"

My father's face turned red, and before I knew it, he slapped me twice. My cheek burned like fire.

"Aurora! How dare you talk to us like that!" he roared.

"What's so bad about Mr. Meyer? He's a small business owner! You'd be living in comfort. Do you actually think we'd hurt you?

"You're the one who couldn't catch a rich man. And now you've got the nerve to argue with your mother? Look at yourself! You're worthless. You don't bring a damn thing to this family.

"This house isn't a charity. If you don't want Mr. Meyer, fine. Go find some other man willing to give away 200 grand for you. Otherwise, shut up and do as you're told."

My cheek was swollen, stinging with every breath. I stared at my parents, baffled by how shamelessly biased and selfish they were.

Even though I'd already lost hope in this family long ago, I still wanted an explanation.

"Why?" My voice cracked, heavy with pain. "Why is Audrey the chosen one, and I'm just the one you want to sell off? We're identical twins. I'm your daughter, too. Why do you hate me so much that you'd marry me off to a 60-year-old man just so you could organize a grand wedding for her?"

My voice shook, but I forced the words out. "If you only wanted one child, if you only ever wanted her… then why keep me at all? Why didn't you get rid of me back then?"

They didn't even flinch. They showed no regret or shame. They just looked at me with cold eyes and said…