Chapter 8 Who is the Uninvited Guest?

Amanda's POV

Dad's fingers sank into my arm, bruising deep as he hauled me into the Beverly Wilshire lobby. My breath snagged, sharp and shallow. He's auctioning me off to Wilson. I clutched the gift box—a glitzy watch—hands jittering, dreading every forced step.

His voice slithered near, cold and cutting. "Smile, Amanda, or we're sunk." My lips quivered, faking a frail grin. I'm his toy. I tugged at my dress, fingers unsteady, as his piercing stare carved into me, unyielding.

Wilson sauntered in, smug and weathered. My stomach churned, acid climbing. Fifty, reeking of greed. Dad shoved the gifts forward, his smile stretched thin and desperate. I swallowed, throat parched, as Wilson's eyes roamed me, possessive and vile.

Then I glimpsed Christopher Mitchell beside him. My chest jolted, tight. Ethan's ghost. His steady nod sent my heart tripping. Does he know my face? I gripped my purse, nails gouging my palms, panic swelling hot and wild.

At lunch, Christopher's voice carved through the buzz, firm and clear. "Blackwood's booming—new CEO, fresh off a wedding." My fork clattered, loud and jarring. Ethan's married? My ribs clenched, hope wrestling dread as Wilson's leer thickened, slimy.

Dad jabbed my side, rough. "Talk to Wilson," he muttered, eyes flinty. I nodded, lips shaking. I'm caged. Wilson leaned closer, his cologne a suffocating wave. My fists balled under the table, knuckles throbbing from the strain.

Christopher's gaze darted to me, cool and sharp. "Excuse me," I blurted, chair scraping harsh. My legs wobbled as I bolted, pulse hammering. I can't breathe here. Wilson's stare clung, heavy, but Christopher shifted, blocking him with ease.

In the hall, I crashed into Ethan. My gasp ripped free, raw and jagged. His hands seized my arms, firm. He's real, here. My eyes stung, relief slamming into fear. "Grandma wants to meet you," he murmured, voice soft. What game is this?

His thumb brushed my cheek, slow and warm. My throat knotted, aching. Is he still mine? I shoved him back, weak and frantic. "Why now?" I rasped, voice fracturing. His jaw tightened, eyes darkening. He's burying secrets.

Christopher loomed, cutting through. "Wilson's nosy," he said, tone clipped. He nudged me aside, a quiet shield. My shoulders sagged, grateful. He's covering me? Wilson grumbled, glaring, but Christopher's hand on my elbow stayed steady.

As we split, Christopher pressed a card into my palm. "Family watches out for family," he whispered, cryptic. My fingers trembled, clutching it. What family? My head spun, a spark of hope flickering, then fading under Wilson's scowl.

Dad's silence in the car loomed, thick and ominous. My gut twisted, sour and heavy. He's seething. I stared at my lap, nails raking my thighs. I've failed him again. His knuckles bulged on the wheel, taut with rage.

We stepped inside, and voices—sharp, unfamiliar—sliced the air. My heart plummeted, icy. Who's waiting? Dad shoved me forward, hard. "Move it," he barked. My legs quaked, dread clawing my spine as shadows stirred.

Elizabeth sprawled on the couch, smirking wide. "Look, the loser's back," she taunted, voice dripping venom. My chest flared, shame scorching. She lives to hate me. Madison, her perfect spawn, giggled beside her—radiant, untouchable. I'm nothing next to her.

Dad's hand whipped across my face, a stinging crack. I stumbled, cheek blazing. "Useless!" he thundered, voice a storm. My eyes watered, tears spilling fast. He's always right. Madison snickered, and Elizabeth's slow clap mocked me, vicious.

"You're a blight," Dad spat, towering over me. My knees wavered, frail. I should've died with Mom. I hugged myself, shaking. "I'd pick pork over you," he sneered, words slashing deep, leaving raw wounds in my soul.

I shuffled to the table, head bowed low. My hands fumbled a plate, timid and clumsy. Don't spark him. Dad's eyes ignited, wild and fierce. "Eating now?" he bellowed, slamming the wood. My spoon rattled, fear surging hot.

"Sorry," I mumbled, voice a wisp. His fist smashed my jaw, fierce and sudden. I crashed down, hitting the floor hard. He's killing me. Elizabeth cackled, shrill and gleeful. My head pounded as his shoe rammed my ribs, ruthless.

Madison pranced over, kicking my shin. "Stay there," she chirped, voice sugar-laced spite. My vision blurred, tears mixing with blood. She's flawless, I'm filth. Dad's boot struck again, pain bursting bright. I'm shattering into pieces.

He seized my hair, yanking brutal. My scalp screamed as I flailed, gasping. "Face me!" he roared, eyes blazing hate. I'm less than nothing. I choked on sobs, hands clawing empty air, weak and pitiful.

His palm crashed my cheek, a wet, ringing slap. My head snapped aside, burning. He's endless. I curled tight, arms shielding my face. Elizabeth hummed, smug. "Pathetic," she purred, her voice a blade twisting deeper.

Dad's knee slammed my stomach, air bursting out. I wheezed, choking hard. This is my end. Madison clapped, gleeful. "Hit her again!" she squealed. My ribs snapped under another kick, agony flaring wild. Why even breathe?

He grabbed my wrist, twisting sharp. My shoulder popped, pain searing. "Apologize!" he demanded, voice booming loud. I whimpered, "Sorry," barely a whisper. I'm fading fast. His fist smashed my nose, blood gushing warm and thick.

I slumped, cheek pressed to the cold floor. My breaths rattled, faint. Is death this close? Ethan's voice flickered—gentle, warm. He's a lie I cling to. My fingers twitched, scraping dirt as pain swallowed me whole.

Madison stomped my hand, grinding her heel. "Oopsie," she giggled, eyes glinting cruel. My scream lodged, throat raw. She's pure venom. Dad's boot crashed my thigh, heavy. "Up!" he yelled. I can't move. Blood pooled, sticky.

He kicked my side again, ribs cracking loud. My body jolted, limp. I'm a rag doll. Elizabeth crouched, smirking close. "You're finished," she hissed, breath hot. My chest caved, despair flooding. They've broken me.

Dad's fist hovered, trembling with fury. "Say it again!" he shouted, eyes wild. I mumbled, "Sorry," voice a broken thread. I'm begging to die. His shoe smashed my hip, pain exploding. Will it ever stop?

Madison tugged my hair, playful but mean. "Cry louder," she teased, grinning wide. My scalp burned as I sobbed, hoarse. She's their princess. Dad's hand slapped my ear, a sharp sting. I'm their punching bag.

He yanked my arm, dragging me up. My legs buckled, useless. "Stand!" he bellowed, spit flecking my face. I'm too weak. I swayed, dizzy, as his fist clipped my chin, sending me sprawling back down.

Elizabeth laughed, clapping slow. "What a mess," she sneered, eyes gleaming. My heart sank, hollow. They love this. Dad's kick landed on my spine, fierce. Am I already dead? My breath hitched, ragged and thin.

Madison poked my side with her toe, giggling. "She's done," she chirped, voice bright. My ribs throbbed, bruised deep. She's right. Dad's hand swung again, smacking my forehead. I'm slipping away. Blood dripped, warm and slow.

He grabbed my collar, shaking hard. "Look at me!" he roared, eyes manic. My head lolled, vision fading. I can't anymore. I whimpered, soft and broken. Let me go. His fist rammed my cheek, a dull thud.

I collapsed, sprawling flat. My chest heaved, shallow gasps. Is this it? Ethan's face flashed—smiling, distant. He'll never save me. My nails scraped the floor, desperate. I'm alone. Pain pulsed, a relentless tide drowning me.

Madison knelt, flicking my ear. "So weak," she whispered, smirking sly. My tears fell, silent. She's everything I'll never be. Dad's boot hovered, poised. "Worthless," he muttered, voice low. He's right. I braced, numb.

The doorbell pierced the air, shrill and sudden. Dad's foot froze mid-air. My heart leapt, frantic. Who's here? Elizabeth hissed, "Get up!" I dragged myself, blood smearing. It's not over. Footsteps thundered, loud and close, racing in.