"You...you can't be serious," Bethany said, her voice trembling. "You're just… giving me away like some property?"
Her father glared at her.
"This is for the family, and you're the first daughter. The Williams family might be struggling now, but their connections are still valuable. Their second son will stabilize things for us."
"I don't even know him!" Bethany wailed.
"You'll learn to know him after marriage," her father replied coldly.
Bethany turned to her mother, desperate for support. "Mom, say something! You can't let him do this to me!"
Her mother's lips quivered, but she didn't speak. Her illness rendered her silent under her husband's oppressive glare.
Then Clara smirked, leaning casually against the wall.
"You should be thanking Dad. At least someone wants you. Sebastian clearly doesn't!"
"Shut up, Clara!" Bethany's fists clenched. "You're nothing but a lying, manipulative—"
"Enough!" Their father bellowed, cutting her off. "This childish behavior ends now."
"Dad, you're about to ruin my life." Bethany's voice cracked as she pleaded, "how can you do this to your own daughter?"
Her father stepped closer, his tone icy.
"You're ruining your own life by not listening. I've given you a golden opportunity. A better future which you lacked. You should be grateful."
Grateful? The word felt like a slap in the face. She turned to Clara's mother, hoping for a reason.
"Mrs. Helen, you can't agree with this, can you?"
But Helen gave a thin fake smile. "It's for the best, dear. You'll see in time."
"I won't do it!" Bethany retorted. "You can't force me into marriage... This is 21st century!"
"You will do as you're told, or you'll cease being a Blake." Her father's eyes narrowed.
"Really, dad? After you've already made my life hell all these years! What more?!" Bethany's anger surged.
"You ignored Mom's brain cancer, you let Clara and her mother treat us like dirt, and now you want to throw me away for your business deals? No, I won't do it!"
"Bethy, please…" Her mother's soft voice broke through the tension. "Don't make things harder than they already are."
Bethany spun to face her.
"Mom, how can you say that? They've treated us like nothing for twenty good years! Now I'm 25 and I won't sacrifice my happiness for them! Never!"
Before her mother could respond, Clara clapped her hands mockingly. "Bravo! Such a dramatic speech, Bethany. But let's be real—you don't have a choice than to agree to it."
Bethany stormed toward her stepsister, her rage boiling over.
"You think you've won? You think taking Sebastian and ruining my life makes you better than me?"
"Oh, I don't think, Bethy. I know." Clara's smile widened.
Without thinking, Bethany shoved her. Clara stumbled but caught herself, her expression darkening.
"Touch me again, and you'll regret it."
"What are you going to do? Run to Sebastian?" Bethany shot back.
"At least he doesn't find me boring." Clara replied, her eyes flashed with glint.
The words hit Bethany like a dagger. Before she could retaliate, her father stepped between them.
"That's enough!" he roared. "Both of you, go to your rooms. Now!"
Despite his anger, Bethany didn't move. "I'm not a child, Dad. You can't control me anymore."
"No matter your tantrum, you will marry into the Williams family. And that's final." He uttered with finality.
Bethany shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
"I won't do it. I'd rather leave this house than marry some stranger to save your reputation."
"And do you think you can survive out there without my support?" Her father's voice was sharp. "Fine. Leave. But don't come crawling back when you realize how cruel the world is."
Her mother gasped. "Please, stop this!"
But Bethany had made up her mind. She turned to Clara, her gaze locked to hers.
"You might have Sebastian now, but don't think for a second that you would be his last. So, enjoy my leftover but you'll never be happy with him!"
Clara's smug expression faltered for just a moment, but she recovered quickly.
"Keep telling yourself that, Bethany. Maybe it'll help you sleep tonight."
Without replying to her, Bethany rushed to her room, grabbed her bag and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her despite her mom calling out her name...
Bethany's hands trembled as she yanked the strap of her bag over her shoulder, getting into her car, and drove out of their estate.
Tears blurred her vision, but she didn't stop driving as she stormed down the next street.
The biting wind stung her face from the car window, but it was nothing compared to the pain tearing through her chest.
Her mind was a storm of betrayal and fury. Clara. Sebastian. Her father. All of them had cornered her, leaving her no way out.
Her phone kept ringing nonstop on the next seat while Sebastian's name continued to flash on the screen, but she ignored the calls.
She has had enough, and doesn't want a fresh argument with him.
Bethany drove until her hands ached, finally stopping in front of a modest hotel. Without a second thought, she walked inside, booked a room, and headed straight to the bar.
The bartender eyed her cautiously as she slid into a seat.
"What can I get you?" He asked.
"Something strong to get me knocked out," Bethany said, her voice hoarse. Then he brought a full bottle of whiskey for her.
The first drink burned, but she welcomed the sensation. One glass turned into two, then three. Until she was wasted.
By the time she stumbled toward the elevator, she was numb.
As she swayed in the hallway, her legs gave out, and she missed a step. Suddenly, a pair of strong arms caught her just in time.
"Careful," his deep voice rang in her ears.
Bethany squinted up at the man holding her. He was tall, with blonde hair and piercing glossy brown eyes that seemed to study her intently.
"I'm fine," she mumbled, though her legs told a different story.
"You're clearly not," he said, steadying her. "Which room is yours?"
"Five… something," Bethany slurred, fumbling for the key card in her pocket.
The man sighed, taking the card from her and reading the number. "508. Let's get you there."
"No need...I'm...fine," Bethany protested but he didn't answer her.
He guided her down the hallway and opened the door. As he helped her inside, Bethany turned to him, her drunken gaze locking onto his.
"Wait," she said, her voice soft but insistent.
He stopped, his hand still on the doorknob. "You need to rest. I'm leaving."
But before he could take another step, Bethany grabbed his arm. "Please...don't go."
He frowned, clearly caught off guard. "I don't think this is a good idea. I—"
Bethany's lips were on his before he could finish. The kiss was clumsy and desperate, and he froze in shock...
"Stop," he said gently, pulling back. "You're drunk."
But Bethany didn't listen. She reached for him again, her fingers fumbling with the buttons of his blue shirt.
"Please," she whispered, tears strolling down her cheeks. "Take away the pain... Just for tonight."
"Stop," he repeated and grabbed her hands. "You're clearly drunk and don't know what you're saying."
"I do... Just this...once," she slurred, raising a finger up.
His resolve faltered as she pressed against him, her touch igniting something he couldn't resist.
When her hand moved to the hard rod between his legs, his restraint snapped.
"Yeah... Just for tonight," he mumbled, but more to himself than to her.
He abruptly drew her closer to his chest, his lips on hers, soft and warm. Bethany froze, her mind blank but she didn't push him away.
Maybe it was because of the alcohol...and the fact that she requested it.
His kiss was gentle, but it sent a jolt of electricity through her, making her feel alive in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.
He pulled back, trailing a kiss to her collarbone.
"I'm in control tonight." His voice low and sultry. "Just trust me, and I'll give you what you've never had before."
Bethany stared at him, speechless. Part of her wanted to push him away, to say this was all too much, too fast.
But another part, the part that was hurt and longing, surrendered to the moment. He smiled, as he took his time to caress her body, as if unwrapping a precious gift.
His hands were soft, exploring Sandra's body in ways that made her shiver.
"Don't be afraid," he whispered, his breath hot against her skin. "Just feel my shaft."
She closed her eyes, sliding her hand into his trouser to feel the shaft. It was indeed a rod. Long and thick one at that...
The room was filled with nothing but the soft hum of the city outside, as she let herself fall into him completely.
His touch was both a comfort and a thrill, a mix of tenderness and fire that made Bethany pulse race.
For once, she wasn't thinking about tomorrow or what might happen next. She was just here, with him, living in the haven moment.
And for tonight, that was enough...