All Chapters of The Life She Stole: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

"That's the high-ranking official's son! What a golden chance. If Yasmine hadn't brought them that meal back then, do you really think you'd have this shot at marrying up?""So what if his dad's got leverage? Anthony's just a grunt for now, and I'm focused about getting into college. After that, life will be sweet. There will be a line of decent guys to choose from!"My parents tried every way to convince her, but my sister, Holly Shaw, was as stubborn as a horse. Back in the seventies when Anthony Brown and his mother, Amelia Brown, showed up at our farm, they were skin and bones, practically bullied out of their wits. Nobody dared to get near them, except for me, sneaking out in the dead of night with some food and warm clothes from our stash. For that, once the pair made it back to the city, marrying the girl who saved them was the first thing on their list. In my previous life, Holly had snatched the credit for that good deed. It was too dark for Amelia to make out my f

Holly's laughter rang out, unrestrained and mocking."Yasmine, who would've thought your infamous curse label would reach your dear husband's ears so fast?"She paused, her voice dropping to a whisper. "A curse and a loser. You two are a match made in heaven."My fists balled up tight, knuckles popping with the strain.Anthony stumbled in, shoved by his buddies, his face a mask of reluctance.Holly, spotting him, crossed her arms and stood tall, her statuesque figure drawing eyes even in a crowded room.However, Anthony's gaze cut through the crowd, fixed solely on me.I caught sight of his striking features and paused, taken aback.His stern look was even more captivating up close than any celebrity splashed across a movie poster.It made sense why Holly always bragged about Anthony's good looks.Noticing the boutonniere pinned to my chest, Anthony realized the bride had been switched.His brows knitted together as he blurted, "Why is it you? Wasn't I marrying Holly?"Holl

"Yasmine, that workbook is a total waste of time, and the tutor Anthony's mom hired is a joke. I can't even answer half the questions!" Holly complained.My parents were quick to soothe her. "If you're struggling, chances are everyone else is too. We Shaws have always been lucky, so you're bound to ace it!"Holly perked up at that, a hint of optimism in her voice."You know, you might be onto something. Maybe I'll slide into a top university after all!"I could not help but snicker at her hopeful logic.Holly, already on edge and making excuses, caught my laughter and saw it as an opportunity to lash out."If I don't make it, it's all going to be your fault and that lousy workbook's," she declared, storming over to me with a raised hand.However, before she could land a hit, Anthony had her arm twisted behind her back."Ouch! Anthony, let go!" Holly yelped, drawing a crowd of curious onlookers fresh out of their exams.Anthony, still in his crisp military uniform, did not want

A roughly tied bandage circled my forehead, my eyes struggling to focus through the haze.I pounded on the cellar door with all my strength, once, twice, thrice."Holly! Dad! Mom! Let me out!"My hands were raw, bloodied from the effort, when I finally heard a stir from above."Yasmine, you've got two choices. Go back and file for divorce yourself, so I can marry Anthony, or I'll set you up with some guy and seal the deal. Then, let's see if Anthony still wants you, you damaged goods!"What choice did I have? The only sensible thing was to play along and agree to the divorce."Holly, I'll do it. I'll file for the divorce. Just let me out!"A sliver of light pierced the darkness as Holly's face came into view."Just remember, you better tell them I was the one who saved them back then! Or else..."A sudden pain exploded in my shoulder as Holly, for some unfathomable reason, turned on me and kicked, sending me crashing down the stairs.My back was tingling from the hard smack a