4: 4
My eyes flew open, and there was Cliff, bare-chested, leering down at me.
"I wasn't even interested in you, but seeing you in Harper's clothes, well, I'll make do."
I shoved him off me, shaking all over. "What do you think you're doing? Cliff, I told you I don't like you. Keep your hands to yourself."
He staggered back, nearly losing his footing. "I don't know why you suddenly turned into a different person, why you won't come near us anymore, but it doesn't matter. After tonight, you'll be a good girl and hand the acceptance letter over to Harper. Then, once I graduate, I'll bring you back to the city."
"Otherwise I'll tell the whole village you seduced me. That's an indecency charge. Let's see how you go to college then."
For my college spot, there really was no dirty thing he wouldn't do.
I sneered, staring him dead in the eye. "And then? You'll really bring me back to the city for a wedding once you graduate?"
He heard that and thought he'd frightened me into giving in. A flicker of smugness crossed his eyes.
"We grew up together, we were sent down together. Of course I wouldn't lie to you."
"Later, Harper and I will go off to college, and you'll stay in the village and work hard and put us through school. Don't worry, we'll pay you back double someday."
That was exactly what he'd done in my last life. I'd worked myself half to death out here, gone without food and clothes, and mailed every last cent and ration coupon to them.
If it hadn't been for that man, I'd have starved to death before I ever learned the truth.
And Cliff, every time he wrote back, still thought I was hoarding money, holding out on him, that's why I sent so little.
This life, he still wanted to work me like an ox. Not a chance.
"Cliff, let go of me, or you'll regret it."
He sneered and clamped down on my arms. "Quit trying to scare me. That acceptance letter is mine."
I looked at Harper, cowering behind him, and gave a cold laugh. "Doing this, can you even face Harper? Don't think I don't know it's her you're actually in love with."
Something forlorn flashed at the corner of Harper's eyes, then hardened into resolve. "I know Cliff only has me in his heart. Everything he's doing is for me. I don't mind."
"Isabel, stop struggling. It's useless."
The corner of my mouth curved into a cold smile. "Since you'll go this far for Harper, then you can stay right here with her."
And at that moment, a noise came from outside the door.
