Chapter 3

He turned and walked back to the stage. "The party will begin now."

Bella was led to the center, surrounded by her friends.

Before sitting down, she glanced at me and added lightly, "Since Dad's made it official, Abigail, make sure you take good care of my guests."

The looks around me shifted—no longer curious, no longer mocking.

Now they were entitled. People started calling out for drinks, for food, for refills.

The girl from earlier swaggered back over, her smug smile wide as she slapped my face lightly. "Hey, you're going to pour me some wine now, right?"

Numb, I handed her the glass, but she jerked her wrist, spilling it all over herself.

Bella and a few of her friends hurried over, and the girl threw herself into Bella's arms, sobbing dramatically. "I just asked her for a drink, but she refused, acting all high and mighty like she's too good for it."

She gestured to her dress with a flourish. "This is a limited edition from this year. Do you think she can pay me back for it?"

Bella gave me a disappointed look, her voice soft but full of judgment. "Abigail, why do you always disappoint everyone?"

My whole body trembled.

Nearby, a blonde guy named Freddie Clark, clearly enjoying the scene, spoke up. "Don't let something so petty ruin your coming-of-age, Bella. I'll handle this for you."

He looked me over, then grabbed a glass of wine from a nearby table and splashed it across my chest.

The dress got wet, and the outline of my figure showed through.

Laughter erupted around me, and I clutched myself, desperate to get away.

"I'm sorry, I'll pay her back for the dress," I stammered.

Freddie's eyes gleamed, and he licked his lips. "Pay her back? For what? I think you look pretty decent. Why don't you just come with me?"

He shrugged like it was nothing. "We've got some money too. As long as you play along, I promise you'll have it better than being stuck here with the Stewarts."

My back broke out in cold sweat, and I shook my head frantically. "I'll pay! I really have the money."

But before I could protest further, Freddie hoisted me up over his shoulder with ease.

He called out casually to Bella. "Got any spare rooms? Mind if I borrow one?"

When I realized what he was about to do, I opened my mouth to scream. But Bella was quick, shoving a scarf into my mouth, cutting me off.

She leaned in close to my ear, her voice cold and taunting. "Mr. Clark's family isn't exactly a small-time operation in Westfield, you know.

"When you keep him happy, what he can offer you is a lot more than what Dad or Ethan ever could."

She patted my face like I was a pet and pointed toward a guest room. "Enjoy yourself."

I struggled with all my strength, but Freddie held me firmly, my hands and feet trapped. I couldn't move.

Ethan was standing nearby, watching with a complicated expression on his face.

Bella saw him too, but she just pouted at him before turning away, and he resolutely ignored me, walking off without a second glance.

Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't understand why they were so cruel.

A sharp, angry voice suddenly cut through the room. "What do you think you're doing?"

Dad's frown was deep, and there was a hint of frustration in his voice. "This is supposed to be Bella's coming-of-age party, and you're letting these people drag it all down? If you want to do that, I'll book them a hotel room instead."

He glanced at the table, clearly irritated. "I've already left your gift upstairs. Go check it out."

Then, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he turned to Freddie. "Being with Mr. Clark? That's a lucky break for her."

Freddie looked surprised but leaned in close to my ear. "You saw that, right? Your dad's cool with it. He's basically giving you to me on a silver platter. How could I possibly say no?

"Didn't think the Stewart family's daughter would be so easy to get. Guess they really don't care about you."

Dad snorted, dismissing me with a look. "She's getting exactly what she deserves. I raised her, and now that she's of age, it's time she paid me back for everything I did for her."

I squeezed my eyes shut, trembling violently.

Mom, I'm sorry I couldn't live the way you wanted me to.

Just as my teeth clenched on my lip, I thought I saw Mom's figure, as if she was reaching out to me in surprise. "Abigail!"