Chapter 3

Haley

“Alright, alright, alright. Let’s get this show on the road, ladies. It’s almost time.” My stepmom yelled at us from the hallway.

“We are coming mum.” My stepsister, Tracy yelled back as

she tried to complete my makeup.

“You look so beautiful, Haley.”

“Thank you.” I said with a tight lipped smile. I was dreading every moment.

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine. You should be happy though, Logan Wesley is so dreamy.” She gushed before pushing

her lips in a pout. “Anyways, that’s not the point. It’s a pity I won’t be able to watch you walk down the aisle.”

She said as she took my

hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. I only looked at myself in the mirror, not saying anything.

Today was the day.

The day I had been dreading ever since that terrible day when I was introduced to Mr. Logan Wesley. Today, I would be

letting go of the very little bit of freedom that I had and be bound to a man who is as close to me as a stranger on the road.

“Come on, we do not have all day. Haley, must you be such a slug every time? Logan and his people will soon be here. We can’t

have your groom waiting for you at the wedding.”

My stepmother screamed at me as soon as she burst into the room,

making both of us jump.

She was all dressed to the tee with a red ball gown embroidered with precious stones. The dress had a deep plunging neckline

that exposed her plastic boobs and a high slit up her left leg. She was also wearing a pearl neckline and heels that looked like they

would break my neck if I fell while wearing them.

“Mum, it's okay, we are already done. We were just having a small talk before you walked in.” Tracy tried to defend me but my stepmom didn’t pay her any mind as she kept a stern look on me.

“Tracy, go back to your room, I already told you. I do not want any of the guests seeing you and asking questions.” She snapped. Tracy

jumped a bit before giving me a sad look and walking out of the room.

I kept my head down, not wanting to see the obvious scorn in my stepmother’s face. I heard her walk further into the room, getting to the back of my chair and grabbing my shoulders from

behind so hard that I had to look up at her from the mirror.

“Today, you will be doing the family a great good by giving yourself up in marriage to Logan Wesley. This wedding will help to seal

our standing with the elite of this city. You are to do whatever and

every single thing he asks of you, do you understand me?”

she said, squeezing my shoulders painfully.

I winced and quickly nodded, not wanting to get her any more angry.

“Good girl,” she said as her lips curled in a very evil way. I felt a chill run down my spine as I looked down again.

“One more thing…..”

I lifted my head again to look at her.

“For no reason should Logan find out that you are not the first daughter.

If by any chance you try to jeopardize this union with your anticipated

stupidity, I will make sure that I silence you, forever, do we have an understanding?” she asked, running her hands through

my hair. To anyone else, this would look like a loving mother having a loving discussion with her soon to be wedded daughter.

I quickly nodded, not wanting her to inflict any other pain on me.

“Words, darling.”

“Ye…. Yes, yes, ma. I will not say a word.” I said.

“Good girl.” She said, smiling. “Your father will soon be here to take you and walk you down the aisle. I do not want any hitches, understand?” I nodded again before whispering a quick “yes”.

She walked out and I was left to my thoughts. This was it. I was going to be given out like a sacrificial lamb to the highest bidder

just so that they would be able to afford the designer clothes and the high rise life they wanted. I was just a pawn in their hands.

I tried not to cry as my mind went back to the past two weeks, that had been nothing but hell for me. I had tried to escape from the house multiple times and every time, somehow, I got caught. It was

like they were expecting me to make a run for it and had gone ahead to put an extra eye out for me.

Each time I got caught, I would get beat up by my stepmother, nothing serious on my face so as not to make it

obvious but she made sure to inflict pain on me. I shuddered at the thought. I didn't even get to pick a dress or make any contributions to ‘my’ own wedding.

There was a knock on the door, bringing me out of my thoughts, and father poked his head in, looking around for me, his eyes glinting when they landed on me.

“There’s my little prized jewel. Don’t you look rather dazzling?” he gushed as he strolled into the room, his tuxedo tailored to fit him.

“Good morning, father.” I greeted.

“Oh my goodness, you look so beautiful.” He said, standing in the same spot where my stepmother had stood some minutes ago.

“Thank you, father. You look good too, yourself.” I said, not wanting to annoy him too and get scolded.

“Thank you, princess.” He said.

There was a moment of silence between us as we both looked at each other’s reflection in the mirror, just lost in our thoughts and trying to absorb the moment.

Times like this were scarce and far between. Times like this made me wish that, somehow, things were different and that he felt even the tiniest bit of love for me. Why couldn’t I just have a normal life?

“If only your mother was here to see you.” He blurted out of the blue, stunning us both.

I felt rage begin to flow in my veins as I felt my blood begin to boil. I looked up at him, seething with rage.

“Don’t you dare bring up my mother in this. Ever. If mother was still here, you wouldn’t be selling me out to the highest

bidder just for a couple more coins in your bank account and to keep your social status intact.

If she were here, I would not be here in the first place

and I know that she would rather die than let you do this to me.

You never loved me or did anything to show that you had any iota of care in you for me. What did I ever do to deserve

such treatment from you?

Why bring me into this world if you knew that you would not be there to take care of me?

What did I ever do to you?” I cried as I watched his face crumble for just a split second before he regained himself and went back to his former nonchalant expression.

“That is besides the point and you know it. It is for the –“ he started before I interrupted him.

“It’s for the greater good of the family. I know. You don’t have to reiterate it. Your wife has done a good job of drilling it into my head.” I said, the venom in my voice deadly.

“Just know this, once all this is over, you would’ve lost a daughter because from the moment I say ‘I do’, you all are dead to me.”