I raised my hand in surrender, the fight draining from me as I read what was on the document.
"Turn around slowly," the voice commanded—a voice I knew all too well.
I pulled off my hoodie and mask, facing him as I turned. My father's gaze met mine, cold and calculating. His gun slipped into his pocket, and beside him stood Ace, his loyal right-hand man.
"Welcome home, princessa," my father said, flashing me a sheepish smile, as if the massacre outside didn't matter.
"How could you?" I couldn't hold it in anymore. Tears started to fall, and my gun dropped to the ground.
He raised a brow, clearly confused. "What are you talking about?"
"She's just fifteen!" I choked on the words. "Do you really want to marry her off to Xaden? Are you that heartless?"
His eyes narrowed. "Since you refuse to comply with the agreement, I might as well replace you with your spare."
"Spare?" My voice cracked. "Is that all Elara is to you? A spare?" A sob tore through me, and I couldn't hold it back.
"Wouldn't have come to this if you had signed the contract," he shrugged indifferently.
"You disgust me," I spat.
His gaze moved over me then, taking in my appearance—the gun lying forgotten on the floor. He tilted his head back in laughter, a dark gleam in his eyes.
"Did you come to kill me, princess?" he mocked.
I wished I could.
I didn't respond. I couldn't. I was too trapped in my own anger and disbelief—how could he be so desperate? How could he betray my sister like that?
"I'll do it," I finally said, my eyes locked on the paper in front of me.
He arched a brow, clearly surprised. "You'll kill your beloved father?"
"No," I replied bluntly, my voice trembling with the weight of what I was about to say. "I'll marry him."
"I won't let Elara lose her innocence because you sold her off to the devil."
He smiled—smiled—and for a moment, I thought I might break.
"She'll make a pretty good wife," he said, a sickening calm in his voice. "She's obedient, unlike you. You broke into my estate and injured my security. You might hate it, but you're just like me. You're a monster like me, and you'll never be like Elara or your mother. The sooner you accept it, the better for our empire."
"I am nothing like you," I said, voice steely, though my heart was shattering.
I turned to leave, but before I could reach the door, I heard Ace's voice, cold and mocking. "Where do you think you're going, little rat?"
And then everything went black.
---
I woke up with a pounding headache. The room around me was familiar, but I knew it wasn't my apartment—it was my father's estate.
I checked the time: 12:00 AM. Great. I'd slept through the entire day.
On the bed beside me was a note. It read, Sorry, princess. We had to drug you a few times—couldn't have you making a mess while the suitors were here.
I tried the door—it was locked. No surprise there. My father had done this to me before.
I remembered my spare key hidden somewhere in the room, but when I tried it, it didn't fit. They must've changed the lock.
So, I did what I always did. I pulled out my hairpin and picked the lock, just like Kehlani taught me.
When I finally made it to the kitchen in the dark, I bumped into something—or, rather, someone.
Xaden.
What the hell was he doing here at this hour? Had the drugs gotten to me, or was this real?
I shook my head, trying to clear the fog, but when I bumped into him again, I knew it wasn't a hallucination.
His hazel eyes gleamed with surprise, and that small smirk I hated appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Move," I snapped, eager to get something—anything—to eat.
"You look like a mess," he commented, voice dripping with amusement.
"Maybe because someone thought it was a good idea to drug me, since they can't handle a little attitude," I shot back.
He stepped aside so I could reach the counter, but to my dismay, the cereal box was empty.
My stomach growled loudly, and I placed a hand over it. This was it. I was going to starve to death.
Xaden chuckled, watching me, as if this was some kind of spectacle.
"Who would've thought hunger could humble the great Kayla Harrison?" he said, shaking his head.
I rolled my eyes and searched for anything else I could eat, but it was all empty. He tossed me a bag of potato chips, which I devoured in seconds.
Then, he handed me an apple. "Potato chips won't do," he said with a casual shrug.
I was too hungry to care, too tired to argue. But then he spoke again, his voice quieter this time.
"Happy birthday, Kayla. I'd appreciate it if you signed the contract. I don't want to fight you, or force you to do anything you don't want to do. But I can't marry your sister."
I froze. I was twenty-one today.
I didn't respond. He walked away without waiting for an answer.
---
Later, back in my room, I stared at my phone. Thirty-six missed calls from Lucas.
I couldn't bring myself to talk to him. Not after everything. I didn't even know how to begin.
Instead, I sent him a voice message. My words felt heavy in my chest.
"Luc, I'm twenty-one now, and I'm going to marry Xaden. Not because I love him, but because it's either me or my sister, and I won't let her go through this. Our relationship was always sinking, and I'm sad it took me this long to realize it. It took me years to name your abuse. I thought love was supposed to hurt, but now I know better."
A tear slipped down my cheek as I continued. "I grew up in a toxic environment, so I thought this was normal—I thought abuse was love. I can't do this anymore, Lucas. Not until you change. Goodbye."
I buried my face in my pillow, trying to block out the collapse of everything I thought I knew.
---
I grabbed a silver dagger from my desk, my mind racing. I had no choice now.
I walked through the guest house, guessing which door Xaden was behind. The place was massive—over thirty rooms. I wasn't sure if I'd make it out of here alive.
I stopped at the eighth door. His scent lingered in the air. He must've just walked in.
I raised my hand to knock—but before I could, I felt his presence behind me.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice low and commanding.
"It's my father's house," I shot back, straightening my posture. "I'm free to walk wherever I want."
"Don't act dumb," he warned, stepping closer. "I have no time for games."
"Someone's got a mood swing," I quipped.
He didn't seem fazed by my defiance, but I could see the challenge in his eyes.
"I want to make a deal," I said, every trace of playfulness gone from my voice.
If my father wanted to throw me to the wolves, then I wouldn't be the sheep. I'd be the hunter.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Keep talking."
I threw a contract at his chest. "I'll sign it. But I've got my own terms. You're not the only one with rules."
Before I could turn to leave, I flicked the dagger in my hand. It flew past his neck, embedding itself in the door frame with deadly precision.
Xaden didn't even flinch.
He smirked, as if daring me to take it further.
"You have until midnight," I said, voice like steel. "Sign it."
"You don't get to threaten me, not when i can destroy your life with a single call".
I scoffed, "I'd love to see you try".