Chapter 4

In the Girt Rose household, a heated argument erupted during dinner.

"They can't force me to marry an arrogant man who thinks he's superior to others," Lindsey declared.

"You're definitely marrying that man. Who do you think you are, acting like a slut like your mother? Where did we find you? In a church praying or in a room rolling around with none other than Kyle Pratt? Besides, your father's company is bankrupt, and right now, you're the best option," Kathen stated sarcastically.

Lindsey burst into laughter, stood up from the table, and shouted hysterically,

"You mean my mother's company. She was a lady, not a woman who marries a man whose wife passed away just two weeks ago."

John rose from the table with bloodshot eyes, approached his daughter, and delivered a strong slap as he spoke, "You're a spoiled brat, insolent, little thing. I thought you had learned to respect Kathen. You know, young lady, this time you used your head and rolled in the right bed. You're getting married in a week."

She ran her hand over her cheek, feeling the burn on her face. Tears welled up, and she blinked several times to hold back the urge to cry.

"I can't believe you're selling me off like a piece of meat to a man I don't even know. It's as if I'm not your daughter, Dad, because you always let them insult my mom."

Her father slapped her again.

"I won't allow you to speak to me like that. You're nobody here. As for your mother, she was just a foolish old woman who believed everything a young man said because she didn't want to lose him. Now she's dead, and you're just a burden in this house. If it weren't for that clause in the will, I swear I would have kicked you out long ago."

Hearing these words from her own father made her feel miserable. Her mind still couldn't comprehend how the man who brought her into this world and was supposed to protect her hated her just for being born.

"Why are you doing this to me, Dad? What have I done to you?"

"Your mother sought you out; I never wanted you. You should be grateful I kept the company afloat, and you didn't starve to death," he shouted furiously. "You'll get married willingly, or I'll beat you until you obey."

Lindsey felt a lump in her throat. She wanted to scream, cry, run away, hit him, but she knew that wouldn't achieve anything. On the contrary, the burning in her cheeks would be nothing compared to what awaited her if she continued to protest. She knew the cruelty of her family and the physical abuse from her father. She glanced at Courney and Kathen, seeing satisfaction in their faces. Her blood boiled, but all she could do was lower her head.

"Fine, as you wish, Dad." She turned to leave when she heard.

"I don't understand the lament. You're a stupid slut who's going to marry the most sought-after man in the country, and you're playing hard to get," Courney said in frustration. "It should have been me marrying him, not you."

Lindsey resisted the urge to lunge at her and scream that Courney was to blame for what happened that day. There was something in that drink that made her dizzy with just a sip, and she was sure Courney had something to do with it. She sighed and quickly walked to her room.

The next day, she woke up to the sun's rays streaming through the window. She reached for the bedside table, checked the time, and got up, rubbing her still-sore cheeks. Looking at herself in the mirror, one cheek more swollen than the other, her face reddened, she sighed and headed to the bathroom.

As she dressed in a checkered shirt and a long skirt, she felt a pang of sadness, remembering the happy moments she shared with her mother. ‘If you were alive, Mom, you wouldn't have allowed Dad to mistreat me so cruelly. With you, my destiny would have been different.’

I glance at the time and quickly leave the house to avoid being seen. When I arrive at the sewing workshop I share with my friend Janna, she exclaims, "Lin, you're finally here! I've advanced Mrs. María's orders."

Janna sensed my arrival; she was sitting next to a sewing machine. Not hearing me speak, she turned around and saw my disheveled appearance. She approached, hugged me, and whispered in my ear, "Tell me! What did those leeches do to you this time? Look at your pretty face and how they left it."

Lindsey pulled away from my friend, walked to a table, and began organizing some fabric pieces that were there. "My dear father was the one who slapped me twice," I confessed.

"Now, why did that wretch hit you?" Janna asked with sadness. I told my friend everything that had happened from the day of the event to what my father had said.

Janna covered her mouth, horrified by what she heard. Anger boiled in her veins for what my friend had to endure. She approached and took my hands. "I'm sure Courtney has something to do with what happened in that room. That bastard of a father, how could he say those things to you? Soon, he'll face the consequences, whether here on earth or in hell. Are you sure that man didn't touch you?"

"I'm almost sure. I didn't feel anything, and I had underwear on with no fluids," I replied.

"That doesn't matter; he could have used a condom. Let's go to the doctor and check."

"For what? Regardless of what happened or didn't happen, my father will force me to marry, or it could get worse," I sighed bitterly about my impending fate.

"I don't understand how a father can be so cruel to his daughter. I get those witches; they're not related to you by blood. But that damned man is your progenitor."

"That's the reason. He never wanted me to be born; that's why he hates me."

"Oh, my friend, I wish I could help you. If only you could escape. But we know what happened last time you tried."