I'm Innocent, Please Let Me Go
"Oops..." Cloe let the severed hair fall to the ground and stepped away, clearly satisfied.
"How... how could you?" Kiara asked, tears welling in her eyes as she stared at her long black hair scattered across the floor.
"You know what? I was wrong. With short hair, you look hideous," Cloe laughed wickedly. "I'm still the pretty one..."
"What's going on in here?" Mrs. Watson stepped into Kiara's room; a space she had always found unpleasant.
"Mother..." Cloe looked up at her, wearing a smile full of malicious complicity.
"Kiara, you cut your hair!" her mother scolded. "It's obvious you envy your sister!"
"No, mother... I didn't cut it, she"
"Silence! You disappoint me more and more each day." She looked at her with disdain. "Cloe, go get ready. You have a commitment to fulfill. And you, Kiara," she pointed, "for once in your life, I expect you to act like a Watson." She walked away, not allowing Kiara to explain or tell the truth.
"Take advantage of the moment, little sis," Cloe mocked, heading to her room.
"Cloe!" Kiara called, her voice filled with pain.
"What do you want, Kiara? The guests are waiting for their queen. That's me!" Cloe showed no trace of emotion.
"We're sisters, we share the same blood." How can you... hate me this much?"
"You're still asking?" Cloe raised a brow. "You're nothing but a pitiful little thing." With those words, she walked away, triumphant, though the resentment she felt toward her sister still burned inside her.
Kiara dropped to her knees, her hair falling around her. She felt hollow, disconnected from herself. Worst of all, her feelings didn't matter to her family. She didn't want to go to the party, but she had no choice. If she didn't show up, they would stop paying for her studies at the university-her dream of becoming a great Digital Animation Designer would die.
She loved what she did, especially since she looked after her younger sister, Lia, every day. Every night, they watched princess animations together, and being such a dreamer, Kiara felt she could turn that passion into something beautiful.
"I promised you, Grandpa Gabriel. I promised to chase my dreams and walk out of this place with my head held high. And I will." She wiped her tears, breathing deeply to keep herself from breaking down. Her grandfather had adored her. She was his favorite. But he died of a heart attack, and since then, Kiara's life had become a nightmare.
Wearing her usual clothes-jeans, a loose shirt, and sneakers-and with her hair down, she left her room and headed to the so-called party, where members of high society had gathered. As expected, they looked at her as if she were some sort of freak.
"As soon as my mother sees me, I'm dead," she whispered to herself, taking in the elegance and beauty of the women around her.
"Mother!" Cloe spotted her from across the room. Seeing her dressed like that filled her with rage-Kiara was ruining everything.
"Cloe, darling, you look stunning. Go greet the guests. Tonight, you need to find yourself a husband, urgently."
"I didn't come here for you to tell me what I already know, Samantha. I came so you'd look at your disgusting daughter. She's humiliating us. And worse, with her short hair, she looks like me. Do something!"
"Lower your voice and behave," her mother snapped, annoyed by her tantrum. "I'll handle it."
Mrs. Watson began walking toward Kiara, but someone interrupted her to exchange greetings. Though annoyed, she masked it with a fake smile. When the brief conversation ended, she turned toward where Kiara had been... but she was gone.
"Where did you go?" she murmured, scanning the area.
"Sir, let go of me!" Kiara struggled against the muscular man in an elegant suit.
"Miss Watson, no matter how hard you try, you won't escape your destiny."
"Destiny?" she questioned, resisting as he dragged her out of the mansion. "I don't understand what you're talking about!" she yelled. "Sir, release me or... or my bodyguards will beat you up!"
"I have authorization to take you, Miss Watson."
"That's not possible! You're taking me against my will. This is kidnapping! Help!" she screamed, until he covered her mouth with a cloth.
"Your father was right. You're too rebellious. I knew you wouldn't come willingly." He shoved her into the car. In desperation, Kiara blinked repeatedly and tried to speak, but she couldn't. Worst of all, she was feeling faint.
The man began to drive. He knew she wouldn't be able to run. The doors were locked, and the cloth had been laced with sedative perfume. That's why she felt dizzy.
"Please, don't hurt me..." she whispered weakly, collapsing on the backseat.
"I'm just following orders, miss," he said, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Orders...?" she murmured, her vision doubling, which made her nausea worse. She closed her eyes.
"My boss is waiting for you," he smiled. "You made a grave mistake. You'll pay for it."
"I... I'm innocent. Please let me go..." she mumbled, trying to sit up.
"It's no use, Miss Watson. You already belong to Mr. Villarreal."
Upon hearing the name Mr. Villarreal, Kiara remembered the conversation between her father and Cloe.
"Sir... I'm not Cloe. No, don't take me to that man..."
"You have a good sense of humor," he said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. She had fallen into a deep sleep-but not for long.
The escort, Jason, pulled up to a luxurious countryside mansion outside the city. Its rustic elegance made it stand out. He got out of the car and carried Kiara in his arms toward the main entrance.
"You're finally here!" the housekeeper, Mercedes, greeted him with concern.
"It wasn't easy. Miss Watson is rebellious... and there were a lot of people around. Luckily, she didn't make too much of a scene at the beginning. But I've completed my mission," he sighed heavily.
"Mr. Villarreal is angry. I have a feeling it's going to be a long night. He ordered that as soon as you arrived, she should be taken to his room. He's waiting for her."
