บททั้งหมดของ Broken Then Desired : บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

The music was too loud. It hurt my ears. The lights were too bright. They hurt my eyes. All around me, people were happy and loud. It was a bad sound. I stood by the wall. I held a drink I did not want. I did not know why I came to this party. I do not fit in at places like this. Then Ayden came. His voice was soft in my ear. He put his arm around me. I could smell his smell and beer. My heart beat fast in my chest. "You look so nice tonight, Em," he said quietly. I gave a small smile. "Do you mean it?" "Yes," he said. He put his head against mine. "I want everyone to see you. I want them to know you are with me." My face got hot. I felt funny in my stomach. "Ayden... people are watching us." "Let them watch," he said. He took my hand. "Come with me." "Wait. Where are we going?" "Trust me," he said. He pulled me into the crowd of people. I felt scared. Many people looked at us. They seemed to be wondering about me. Some looked like they were laughing at me. I hate when people

I flinched. I stared at him with wide, broken eyes. “You are cruel.” Victor’s mouth moved a little. “Yes. But I am offering you life.” My throat felt tight. My voice broke. “I really don’t want to die. But I can't go back there.” Victor tilted his head. “Then say it. Say yes.” I shut my eyes. I was shaking all over. My voice was a soft whisper. “Y-yes…” “Say it louder.” “Yes…” Victor’s look did not get soft. He turned. “Then you will belong to me.” Victor’s eyes did not move. He walked to his car. He pulled open the door. “Get in,” he said. His voice was low and heavy with command. My chest moved up and down. My breath was shaky. For a moment, I was frozen. My mind was spinning. I saw the laughter at school again. The cruel stares. The whispers that cut deep. I saw Ayden’s face. He had laughed at me too. My lips shook. I swallowed hard. Then, with unsteady steps, I climbed into the car. Victor’s look hardened. He was pleased. His voice was short. “Good.” The car ate up the

Kelsey pushed forward. She stood close to me now. Her eyes ran up and down my dress, my hair, my red lips. Jealousy burned hot in her voice. "Who do you even think you are? Walking in here like you own the place?" I finally looked at her. One slow look from her head to her toes. "Better question," I said smoothly. "Who do you think you are, speaking to me?" Kelsey's mouth dropped open. "What?" My lips barely moved. "Move." The word cracked like a whip. Kelsey froze. Nobody ever told her to move. Nobody. The hallway went silent. Even Ayden looked between us. Amusement was on his face. And with that, I walked away. I left the whispers behind me. They grew louder. The sound of my heels was a promise. Emily was never coming back. The lecture hall was loud with talk. Then I walked in. The air changed. My high heels made a sharp sound on the floor. People looked up. I did not rush. I walked like the room was already mine. I chose a seat right in the middle. I sat down, smooth a

He finished cleaning and put the gun back together. The clicking sound made me jump. He stood up and put the gun away. "Come on," he said, his voice softer now. "I will take you home." He led me out a back door into the cool night. His black motorcycle was waiting. He gave me a helmet. I took it. My fingers felt numb. "Home?" I asked, confused. I lived in Victor's big house. It was not home. "The mansion," he said. "Where you stay." I put the helmet on and got on the bike behind him. This time, I held him tight. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my face against his jacket. I was shaking. I could not forget the man's pleading eye. I could not forget the sound of the gunshot. The ride was a blur of wind and light. Soon, the big iron gates of the mansion appeared. Jaxon drove in and stopped. I got off the bike. My legs were weak. I gave him the helmet. He took it and watched me. "You okay?" "No," I said honestly. "I do not think I will be." "Good," he said

But my arm would not move. The old man saw me stop. In a sudden, desperate move, he jumped forward. He grabbed the bottom of the ladder. He shook it hard. “Get out! Get out of my shop!” I screamed as the ladder shook. The heavy box slipped from my hand. It fell. It hit the concrete floor with a loud BANG. The lid burst open. Dozens of small, clear plastic bags spilled out. They were filled with white powder. It was not money. It was drugs. The old man stared at the spilled powder. His face was a mask of horror. “No! You have ruined it! He will kill me!” He looked up at me. His fear turned to a wild rage. “You stupid girl!” He shook the ladder again, harder this time. I lost my balance. I fell from the top. I landed hard on the concrete next to the spilled drugs. The gun skittered away from my hand. Pain shot through my side. I gasped for air. The old man was on me in a second. He was not strong, but he was desperate. He grabbed my shoulders, trying to pin me down. “I will show y