. She looked like a porcelain doll, fragile and sweet. But I saw the glint beneath,

e can be friends. Your uncle has told me so much about you."

quite the storyteller." I didn't bother with pleasantries. The fi

Elenor is a guest, Adah. Show some hospitality." His hand rested on Elenor's shoulder, a g

still on Elenor. "Hospitali

darted nervously between us. "You're getti

is the sunniest. And with my heart condition, the doctor said I need plenty of natural light." She gestu

h my books, my sketches, my memories. The room where I had cried myself to sleep after Kris

words were an ice pick to my own heart. "You can have it." I woul

lenor? Adah is perfectly reasonable." He be

ow against my shattered illusions. I climbed the stairs, not to my room, but to the guest room on the opposite side

ttered-my self-respect, my broken heart-couldn't be packed away. My hands trembled as I folded a favorite sweater, t

a mixture of anger and confusion. "What

wanted me to agree to the marriage, Uncle. I did.

ered. "What will people say? It's highly

Uncle? You want to talk about disgrace? What about your gambling debts? Your shady deal

e! You ungrateful child! I r

. You never gave me a family. You always saw me as a burden, a

I will ensure every penny promised by the Shaffers goes directly into my account. And

y eyes, something cold and hard, stopped him. He knew I was serious. He

care! But don't come crawling back when y

r still sat, now holding a delicately embroidered handkerchief to her nose. She looked up, her eyes wide and innocent,

ould find, ignoring the price tag. I ordered champagne, the most expensive food on the menu, and then I went shopping. Online, of course. Designer clothes, exquis

iddle finger to Kristofer, to Elenor, to my uncle. It was a release, a defiant roar

f code and algorithms, was now meticulously crafting a different kind of strategy. Jeffrey thought he could sell me off?

Jeffrey. He would regret every moment he ever underestimated me. I had access to

h rage. "Adah! What do you think you're doing?! The ban

dy for my wedding. A Shaffer wedding isn't cheap, you know. I need to

n released yet! You're spending m

s transfer the agreed-upon sum after the marriage, I'll pay you back. Ev

a grim satisfaction. Let him stew. Let him pa

he screen. Kristofer. My heart gave an involuntary l

His message was short, to the point. No 'Star

left. I needed some space. I didn't elaborate. I wouldn

rough news feeds, mentally drafting my next moves. My phone b

as been frozen due

had cut me off. The sudden realization hit me like a physical blow. I was strand

form you that your payment method has been declined. We

s evicted, my luggage unceremoniously dumped in the lobby. I stood ther

silken sheets of Kristofer's bed, the plush carpets of my uncle's mansion. I wrapped my arms

l like you doing out here all alone?" A man, reeking of stale alcoh

. I clutched my bag tighter, my heart pounding. "

at, sweetheart. Just looking for a little company. I've g

d me. Just as I was about to

A deep voice, familiar, c

ristofer. He stood there, a dark silhouette against th

buddy," the drunk slurr

his is my business." His voice was low, lethal. The drunk,

the dim light. "Why didn't you call me, Adah?" he asked, his voice softer now, but wit

, my eyes burning. He had come. He had saved me. And yet, t