Her father's voice roared in the living room. Everything else around them seemed to disappear. Selene said nothing as her fate was decided like some movie.
"You have to marry Lynn's eldest son, whether you want to or not," her father, Mr Rogers exclaimed.
Her step sister smirked at her as she clung to her mother. Selene her father blamed her for her mother's accident but she never imagined he would go to the extent of selling her off. Jackson Lynn, the eldest son of the Lynn family was rumored to be in his late thirties, how could her father even consider that?
" But dad, why should I be the one to sacrifice for this family?" Selene complained hoping her father would reconsider.
"Look at her pretending to be innocent,are you suggesting that my daughter should be the one to cover the mess your mother left at the company?" Juliet,her step mom snapped at her.
Ever since her mother died ten years ago,the company seemed to be doing well until her father married Juliet,his secretary and she climbed ranks to his personal assistant manager.
Rogers watched her daughter lower her eyebrows, he felt a sting of pity cross his heart. Things were never the same after Sofia died,she couldn't defend herself,she seemed defeated. He blamed Selene partially for his wife's death but he knew he was the sole reason. That fateful day at his office had turned his life around.
"Honey, are you pitying her?" Juliet's voice chirped, feigning disbelief. She was always dramatic and that always got to Rogers.
Rogers cleared his voice, "No, that's not the case, since it's decided, Mr. Lynn will come to pick you up in the evening."
Selene felt her world swirl,this couldn't be her final fate,she ran up to her room tears rolling down her face.
She had to do something to save herself,she unclasped the necklace around her neck, placed it on the drawer, wishing her childhood prince charming would appear at this point and save her.
The ring necklace always had hope of someday reuniting with him but she didn't know if she could wait around anymore.
She threw herself on the bed and let the tears flow. Selene didn't for how many hours she lay there crying but she felt new and decided. She couldn't wait around for an old man to come get her.
Pulling out her phone she called her best friend Charlotte. " Hey babes what's up,you wanna parry?" Charlotte's voice chirped.
"Char …" Selene mumbled, unable to form a reply as a lump stuck her gut.
" What's wrong Lene?" Charlotte's worried voice asked. Selene said nothing but tried to muffle her sobs.
"Don't worry babes whatever it is,am coming to pick you up right now through the back door," Charlotte said knowing this was one of the moments Selene needed rescue from the cruelty in the house.
Selene waited eagerly for the text as she kept looking at the phone anxiously. The door banging brought her focus back to the room. What else did they want? Didn't they already humiliate her earlier?
She hesitantly opened the door. "It's me dear,how are you doing," Maria said calmly with a smile on her face. Maria took care of her since she was little and she was like a second mother. She would always comfort her every time this happened.
Selene threw herself into her embrace crying,"what do I do aunt Maria?" Maria mumbled sweet words in her ears patting her back.
"Oooh I see,the peasant is comforting the damsel?" Lilian, her step sister, mocked entering the room.
Selene wiped her tears and looked at Lilian. "Get out of my room Lilian!" Selene ordered, feeling anger creeping up her head.
"Or what? Are you going to cry to daddy?" Lilian mocked her face, feigning shock. Her words cut deep through Selene's heart. " Oh I forgot, daddy doesn't want you here,he wants you married to an old man," She pushed further.
Selene swiftly moved towards her but Maria blocked her.
"What's happening here?" Juliet asked, approaching her daughter. "Darling, is this what's keeping you so long?" She asked, looking between them with disgust.
Maria was still holding Selene as if preventing her from fighting. "Mom they are ganging up on me ,I just came to ask if Selene wanted to watch her last movie together?" Lilian said, her voice breaking.
Before anyone could register what was happening, Juliet landed a slap on Selene. " You filthy thing,you want to beat my daughter,and you, back to work,"she said, ordering Maria. Maria had had enough of this," But ma'am…" Selene held her hand signaling her not to talk.
Selene knew this could lead to more problems for Maria.
"Let's go, the movie has already started, you've kept your father and I waiting," Juliet said, throwing one last look at them as Lilian smirked openly at them.
"Don't worry aunt Maria I'll be alright just go, just in case they need anything," Selene said. Maria looked at her suspiciously, she knew her too well to not notice anything.
"Don't do anything stupid child," Maria said, her face full of worry. Selene just smiled at her assuringly.
"Gal what took you so long?" Charlotte broke the silence in the car. Selene was just glad they were far gone from the house.
Selene poured out her heart to her best friend leaving out the supposed husband's name. All she could feel was hurt; her tears seemed to have dried up.
Charlotte jerked the car causing a screech as she parked by a club.
"Lene forget about all that for now because we are going to party here all night and you'll crash at my place before we think of something," Charlotte said, stepping out of the car. Selene smiled at her sadly.
"And gal you marrying no one else but your long lost prince charming I'll make sure of that," Charlotte added causing Selene to stifle a laugh feeling much better.
Charlotte's family was powerful and well known. Selene knew she would always depend on Charlotte before she could figure things out.
Meanwhile,at the Rogers' household, Maria entered the living room in a panicked state. "Sir she's gone, Selene's gone," she announced, causing everybody to turn around.
They all knew the consequences of Selene missing. Mr. Lynn would never believe them and would accuse them of deception. It only meant one thing, Lilian would be the sacrifice.
"What do you mean by she's not in her room?" Juliet asked as her eyes widened.
"She's probably brooding in her bathtub," Lilian said emotionlessly. Deep inside she hoped that she was right.
The doorbell rang causing everyone to freeze.
" I'll get that,"Mr Rogers said walking to the door. Saying a silent prayer to the inevitable.
" Hello Mr. Rogers, I was sent by Mr Lynn to
pick up his wife," a man in a black suit said, presenting his ID.