I tried to stand up even though my body was still shaking. I want to leave this place. I couldn't bear to be in a house that only gave me pain and humiliation. However, as I stepped towards the door, Ray's firm voice stopped me in my tracks.
"You're not going anywhere, Lea."
I turned around with eyes already wet with tears. "Why? Don't you want me to go? I'm tired, Ray..." My voice was soft, full of desperation.
Ray glanced at Sabrina, and I caught a glimpse of a sly smile on his face. I knew there was something behind this.
Ray walked over, suddenly wrapping his arms around me. His touch felt cold, not the slightest warmth, just falseness. "I'm sorry, Lea... I got too carried away earlier," he whispered, then gently kissed my forehead.
I was transfixed, confused by his drastic change in demeanor. I didn't understand what he wanted from me. I tried to push her away, but she tightened her embrace even more.
Sabrina who was standing behind her was not happy about all this. I could see the glint of anger in her eyes, but she kept her sweet demeanor in front of Ray.
"You can't leave, Lea," Ray's voice sounded slower and deeper. "My father chose you as my wife... and you know what that means."
I paused, holding my breath. I knew exactly what he meant. If I left, Ray's father-who was now overseas-would be furious. Not only that, Ray wouldn't get a penny of his father's inheritance.
I shook my head, trying to free myself. "Ray... I don't care about any of that. I just want to be free!"
Ray looked back at me sharply. "Free?" he muttered coldly. "If you weren't the woman of my father's choice, do you think I'd be willing to keep you? Don't dream, Lea." His face came close to my ear and whispered, "You're just a tool to me. A source of money. If not for that, I would have divorced you long ago. Sabrina is the woman I want."
My heart seemed to stop beating. The pain that I had been harboring hit me hard again.
I tried to be strong. "Then divorce me, Ray. I don't want to stay here just for money."
But instead of feeling threatened, Ray laughed sarcastically. "Divorce you?" He looked at me with contempt. "You think it's that easy? You'll stay here until I decide everything."
Sabrina suddenly groaned in pain, making the scene even more chaotic. "Ray... my hand hurts," she whined miserably. "Look... the blood is still coming out..."
Ray immediately turned around, took Sabrina's hand gently, and rubbed it attentively. "Patience, dear... I'll take care of you."
I could only watch them with teary eyes. There was nothing I could do but cry. I felt so weak and helpless.
Just then, my parents came into the room. My father and stepmother stared at the scene in front of them with different expressions. My mother looked shocked, while my father, Frans, just snorted coldly.
I gathered my courage and said, "Dad... Ray is having an affair with Sabrina. You saw them-"
Before I could finish my sentence, my father cut in with a sharp voice, "Enough, Lea!"
I was shocked. "Dad, didn't you see them?" I asked in a trembling voice. "Ray is having an affair with my sister!"
Frans looked at me with contempt. "You still dare to talk about loyalty? After all the disgrace you've caused?"
I fell silent, my heart breaking again. "Father..."
"I don't care about their relationship. I support it," I continued in a sharp tone. "Ray deserves a better woman than you. Sabrina is a better choice!"
Dad's words make me barely breathe. I stared at him in disbelief. "How can you support this affair? I'm your daughter!"
Dad leaned closer, then whispered hatefully, "You've become a dirty woman, Lea. You deserve this as a lesson."
I felt like my body was about to collapse. I couldn't believe my father was supporting all of this. Only a small sob escaped my lips. Everyone around me seemed to be enjoying my suffering.
Sabrina smiled slyly again behind Ray's back. I know she won today. But I wasn't going to give up so easily.
"What do you all want? Do you want to see me die? Kill me! Kill me now! I've had it, I'm tired of all this suffering! Please don't kill me like this. Let me give birth to my child first, then you can kill me with satisfaction!" I shouted, with tears streaming down my cheeks.
