"The tarot reader back then was right. You bring us bad luck! You're nothing like your sister who is sweet and obedient. She came into this world to bring good luck to our family."
So all the pain I'd gone through over the years… all because of a few empty sentences from some tarot reader.
I couldn't help but laugh. Whatever scraps of hope and love I still held for this family were shattered completely.
Fine. I'd take today's humiliation as paying them back for raising me.
"I'm not marrying that old man. If you need money, figure it out yourselves. Since you've never liked me, I'll leave. I don't care about your stupid marry-rich dreams."
I grabbed my suitcase and turned to go.
Audrey's cold voice stopped me.
"You don't wanna get married? Fine. But if you move out, you'd better not be wandering around too much. And make sure your phone's on 24/7. If I call, you have to pick up within three seconds.
"I'm about to become Mrs. Strickland. He'll propose to me and marry me soon. But I don't know much about how to take care of him. When he asks, you'll have to feed me the answers. Got it?"
I turned my head and looked at her. Audrey tossed her hair back and pulled out her phone, snapping a picture of the bruises on her skin.
To her, they weren't shameful but her golden ticket into high society.
My parents were all smiles, fussing over her proudly, as if she were already some rich man's wife.
They chimed in, "Do your best to help Audrey. Once she marries Mr. Strickland, maybe she'll help you, too. She can introduce you to a driver or a bodyguard who works for wealthy families. That's the only way you'll find someone."
I almost laughed. They had no idea what really happened that night. They had no clue what it meant to cross Michael.
The Stricklands weren't just old money—they were powerful and untouchable. Anyone who tried to scheme against them would get destroyed, not rewarded.
The only smart thing to do was to cut ties and walk away.
"We're not that close, so don't bother trying to set me up with someone. You live your lives, and I'll live mine."
-
Audrey and I had switched places completely.
For the next few days, everything stayed quiet. There was not a single word about the most wanted rich heir of Jezelton being tricked.
Then came the day Michael had to go for a checkup, and Audrey told me to wait near the hospital in case she needed me.
I went. Not just because she told me to, but because I wanted to see how he was doing.
That night, he'd knocked Audrey out. He'd been furious at her throwing herself at him.
Even though I had accidentally run into him and ended up helping with his condition, he should've been plotting his revenge against her. But instead, he did nothing.
I hid behind my sunglasses and mask, watching them carefully.
What I saw made no sense.
They were laughing together, looking into each other's eyes like something out of a movie. To anyone else, they looked like the perfect couple, completely in love.
I couldn't wrap my head around it. What was Michael planning? Why wasn't he furious with her? Why was he suddenly acting so close to her?
I stood there for so long, lost in my thoughts, that I didn't even notice when they walked in my direction.
When they passed me, Michael paused for just a second. My heart jumped into my throat.
Did he recognize me?
But then he kept walking, as if nothing had happened.
I let out a shaky breath, relieved… but at the same time, a little disappointed.
That night, he had ripped off my mask. I'd switched the lights off right away, but I still didn't know if he'd seen my face.
