Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 78534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
I bite my tongue. I can’t afford to make her too mad while she still has Victor’s ear. Without Anne, I don’t have a place here, and without a place, Victor might decide my usefulness is over. Anne makes a small unhappy noise. I put my hand behind my back and she slips her fingers into mine. I give them a small squeeze of support.
Anne raises her chin in defiance. "Why are you so mean to Jessica? I finished my homework. Here. If the cookies mean so much to you, you can have them. Maybe if you ate a few you wouldn’t be such a witch."
It’s all I can do not to burst out laughing at the shocked look on Marissa’s face.
But her shock turns quickly to rage. She glares right at me and reaches out, grabbing Anne by the wrist and yanking her away from me. “You are a horrible influence on her. I don’t know why he bothers keeping you around.”
“Yeah, well I don’t know why he bothers keeping you around either,” I snap. “Let her go!”
"What the hell is all this yelling about?" Victor strides into the kitchen, his hard dress shoes echoing off the marble floor. The disaster is officially complete.
“Baby,” Marissa croons. “I was taking care of it. Anne’s nanny is useless. I think you need to seriously think about what I was saying. I—”
“Shut up.” He doesn’t even bother looking at her. "Jessica."
Just the one word, not even said very loud, but with complete conviction that he will be listened to. My stomach drops, twisted into a knot that threatens to unfurl so fast I’ll puke. Victor is a man that’s used to being obeyed without question. In another universe, he could use that power and charisma for good, but in this one, he's just a monster. His cold gaze is fixed on me. That's never good.
“Daddy, I’m sorry,” Anne whispers. “It’s my fault.”
I wonder if he knows she only calls him that when she’s afraid of him.
"Maybe I've been too lenient. You’ve forgotten your place.” He glances towards Marissa before his hard gaze shifts to Anne. Her shoulders curl in, slumping under the weight of his gaze. “Keep my daughter out of the way. I need to have a word with the nanny."
Anne’s chin wobbles. "I'm sorry. I just wanted a snack. I didn't think it was a big deal."
"Enough! You’re old enough to learn a lesson about respect, and consequences." His eyes shift back to me. "I understand that you’re fond of Jessica, but she’s our servant, not your friend. Marissa, make sure Anne watches this. It’s time she realizes that obedience comes at a cost." He peels off his suit jacket as he speaks, folding it neatly and placing it on the kitchen counter before rolling up his sleeves. "Jessica, come here."
My feet move on their own accord. I don't want to. I really, really don't want to, but running away will only make it worse. It's better to take whatever punishment he decides on and be done with it. “Please let her go back to her room,” I whisper. “She doesn’t need to see this.” There’s no point in groveling. I’ll live, and he’s always careful to not leave marks where they will show.
"What’s happening?" Anne's question is so quiet, so unsure that it breaks my heart. We’ve grown up together in a lot of ways, but in two different worlds.
"Shh," says Marissa, grinning in ghoulish delight. She’s hated me for a long time and the feeling is mutual. "This is what happens when you don't listen."
Victor grabs my ponytail and wraps it around his fist, pulling me to my toes. His other arm pulls back before punching me right in the stomach. No warning, no time for me to react. Anne screams as I buckle over in pain and shock, struggling to suck in air. Everything is numb for a moment, before the pain hits. I pinch my lips together and try to breathe through it so I don’t throw up on his feet. I don't want to give him an excuse to do worse. Or traumatize Anne more than she already is.
“What do you have to say for yourself?” he asks calmly.
"I'm sorry. We were out after curfew. It’s my fault." Adrenaline has taken over, making my voice unsteady and my breathing quick.
"And she insulted me!" Marissa adds.
Victor yanks my head up. “Is that true?”
I open my mouth, wanting to deny it and try to save myself more pain, but maybe I’m better off admitting it because he’d never take my word over hers anyway.
“Answer me!” he growls, shaking me by the hair.
My glasses fall, hitting the floor and sliding across the tile. If they’re scratched, who knows how long I’ll have to live with it before he decides it makes him look bad. “Fine! Yes, I—”