One (1)
========== Faith's teeth clenched as she closed her book, her gaze shifting to the source of the deep, condescending voice. Josiah D'Angelou. A man known for his ruthlessness and suspicious business dealings. And now, her new stepfather. "Sorry, I was trying not to," Faith replied, a saccharine smile playing on her lips, knowing it would only irritate him further. Josiah narrowed his dark eyes at her, his scowl mirroring the one her mother seemed to be blind to. But Faith had seen enough of him since he entered their lives. The moment her mother had brought him through their front door, legs wrapped around his waist and his pants undone, Faith's tolerance for him had reached its limit. Her mother had no idea that Faith had come home early from Holly's house. She didn't know that Faith had been on the couch, attempting to sleep, before witnessing Josiah and her mother on the kitchen table, their intimate encounter reminiscent of a construction site. Before the nausea overwhelmed her, Faith had managed to escape the living room, spending the next twenty minutes heaving her two-day-old pizza into the toilet. But Josiah hadn't left. Instead, he had whisked them away from their impoverished life to his opulent mansion in the affluent part of town. There, he had promptly married her mother, turning them into a picture-perfect family. And now, here they were, facing each other with scowls. "Are all your things packed?" he demanded, snatching her book from her hands. Glancing at the title, he rolled his eyes. "We leave for Bolten Academy in the morning." "Yes," Faith snapped, rising to her feet and reclaiming her book. "And don't touch my things." "Need I remind you that your things are now my things—" "I know, I know!" Faith tossed her book onto the couch and turned to face him, anger coursing through her veins at this entitled man. "You made all of this possible." She waved her hands around the pristine, white room, feeling a sense of panic at the thought of sitting on the couch, afraid of tarnishing its perfection. Being a snooty brat wasn't her style, but Josiah had a way of pushing her buttons she didn't even know existed. "You'd do well to remember it, Faith. I dragged you and your mother out of the gutters." "You also screwed my mother on the table my dad bought, the one we used as a family," Faith retorted, clenching her fists. Josiah advanced towards her, a dark glint in his eyes. She stumbled backward, her heart pounding unevenly in her chest. Her legs collided with the glass coffee table as Josiah gripped her face tightly, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Watch your mouth," he hissed, his eyes roaming over her face. Faith winced as his grip tightened, desperately trying to pry his hands away. "I have the power here, Faith. You've already witnessed what I'm capable of." A whimper escaped her lips as he leaned closer, their eyes locked in a chilling stare. "You know who you belong to." His lips brushed against her forehead, and he exhaled deeply. His grip on her cheeks loosened, his hands trailing down to her waist, pulling her closer to him. "I saved you and your mother from hell. You'd be wise to listen and do as you're told. You are my property, bought and paid for." "You've delivered us from one hell into another," Faith rasped, fear gripping her chest. But she refused to back down. Her mother was well aware of Josiah's actions. Yet, she had changed since Faith's father had left them. She craved the life of luxury, status, and money that Josiah provided, no matter the cost. So when Faith had confided in her about Josiah's treatment, her mother had given her a brittle smile and told her to suck it up and obey him. It had been nearly two years since Faith had last seen her father. Rumors circulated about his gambling debts and his involvement with the Rivera White family, a powerful mob syndicate. But Faith couldn't reconcile the image of her loving father with someone caught up in mob activities. And she couldn't explain why he had disappeared, leaving them with nothing but a goodbye letter disguised as a divorce from her mother. Josiah chuckled softly, his breath tickling her face. He brushed her hair away from her neck before nuzzling against her skin. Faith froze in his grip, knowing he was a despicable man but never expecting this. "Don't play hard to get, Faith," he murmured, his lips grazing her sensitive skin. She squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to calm her racing heart. "I'm giving you the best of everything. As much as it pains me, I'm sending you away for the finest education a girl like you can receive. I'm giving you a future. Don't be ungrateful." "I don't want it," Faith growled, summoning the courage to push against him. A cry escaped her lips as he yanked her hair, throwing her to the floor in pain. Fear gripped her as she stared up at him, waiting for his next move. And he didn't disappoint. In an instant, he tugged her hair again, forcing her to meet his gaze. "We have guests coming tonight. Clean yourself up and join us in the living room. There are matters you need to be aware of before leaving for Bolten. An announcement needs to be made. It's part of the payment I'm owed." With that, he released her, and she crumpled to the floor as his footsteps faded away. Faith had no idea what he meant by payment. What had she been dragged into? The man was unhinged. As much as she despised the idea of attending Bolten Academy on his dime, living under his control in this house was unbearable. It was only a matter of time before he crossed more boundaries and subjected her to further harm. * * * From her seat on the couch, Faith glared at Josiah as he entered the room, accompanied by Charles and Marian Edwards. Their son, Colton, known as Simeon to everyone, followed closely behind. Simeon was her age, and if she didn't know anything about him, she would have thought he was attractive—beyond attractive. With blond hair, muscles, and a smirk that could make anyone weak in the knees, he exuded a certain charm.
One (2)
But I did know him, and I knew he was a piece of work, and not in a good way. He was cruel and power hungry. He didn’t pull any punches, making crass remarks to me whenever I saw him and letting me know he’d fuck me or fuck me over, depending on his mood. I wagered his dad was the same way, considering he was friends with Josiah. But I was familiar with him, and I knew he was quite a character, and not in a positive way. He possessed a cruel and power-hungry nature. He didn't hold back, always making crude remarks whenever our paths crossed, letting me know that he could either take advantage of me or ruin me, depending on his mood. I suspected his father shared the same traits, considering their friendship with Josiah. "Hey, sewer rat," Simeon greeted me softly, a smirk playing on his face. "Shut up," I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. He sat down beside me, causing my mother to shift uncomfortably in her chair. "I'm glad you managed to be punctual, Faith. It's not one of your strong suits," Josiah's voice was soft, but his eyes gleamed with a hint of malice as they locked onto mine. "Well, I guess that just shows how dedicated I am to making sure I'm around enough to annoy the hell out of you," I shot back, still seething from the earlier confrontation in the living room. He sneered at me, a warning glint in his eyes, while Mom let out a breathy laugh, desperately trying to diffuse the growing tension. "We're delighted that you could join us for dinner tonight," Mom giggled to the Edwardss. Marian gave her a quick once-over and simpered. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "It's an exciting evening," Charles proclaimed with a wide grin, his thick Russian accent adding a touch of intrigue. "Indeed," Josiah chimed in, offering Charles a glass of bourbon. "Darling, is that nail color really appropriate for you?" Marian sniffed at me, clearly disapproving of my black nail polish. "I don't know, Marian," I replied with false cheerfulness. "The dark lord specifically requested it. And I do try to be a very bad girl—" "Faith," Mom hissed, forcing a smile onto her face. Josiah glared at me, his disdain evident. Charles cleared his throat and shot Marian a disgusted look, as if he had stepped in something unpleasant. "I'm sure Bolten will whip her into shape," he added, clearing his throat again. "He's the best of the best." "Of course. She may be a little rough around the edges, but Bolten will certainly mold her into perfection," Josiah sipped his bourbon, his eyes never leaving mine. "May I be excused?" I started, hoping for an escape from this uncomfortable situation. The only silver lining was that Simeon had remained silent throughout. "Not yet, sweetheart," Mom chuckled. "We have an announcement to make." "We might as well do it now so they can get better acquainted this evening," Marian chimed in, casting a fond look at Simeon. He shifted uncomfortably beside me. What on earth was going on? I prayed they didn't expect me and Simeon to spend time together. "I actually have plans for tonight, so I won't be able to entertain—" I began once more, but Josiah's focus snapped back to me, causing me to clamp my mouth shut. "Faith, this is important. Your mother and I have decided that it's best for you to take my last name. The process has been completed. I've officially adopted you. You are now a D'Angelou," Josiah announced calmly. "The hell I am!" I shouted, jumping to my feet. I shot a pleading glance at my mother, who refused to meet my gaze. "How could you?" This certainly wasn't the news I was expecting. Throughout my entire acquaintance with Josiah, he had never shown any interest in me, apart from being a complete jerk whenever he had the chance. "Faith, Josiah is now part of our family. It only makes sense for you to carry his name," Mom reasoned. "I won't do it. I refuse," I declared, crossing my arms defiantly and glaring at Josiah. The bastard had the audacity to smile at me. "You don't have a choice. Now sit down. It's already done. But don't worry, my dear daughter. It won't be your name for long." I huffed and reluctantly sank back down, seething with anger that my autonomy had been taken away from me. Furious that I had been kept in the dark about the entire arrangement. Outraged that my own mother had allowed it to happen. "Colton," Josiah finally stopped glaring at me and turned his attention to Simeon. "Faith. Tonight is significant. We would have thrown a grand celebration, but our schedules didn't align. We'll mark the occasion another time." My gaze darted between Mom and Josiah, my stomach churning with apprehension. "We all strive to marry into lives of convenience. Wealth and influence are the ultimate goals," Josiah began. "I secured a deal some time ago that needs to be upheld." Mom stared down at her hands, her leg bouncing nervously. "I saved this family from certain heartbreak, and as a result, I gained a beautiful daughter," Josiah fixed his gaze on me. "Faith, you have no idea how truly captivating you are. You outshine the other girls in our circle effortlessly. The only drawback was that you weren't one of us. Until now." A shiver ran down my spine as I glanced at Simeon, who wore a bewildered expression. "Your mother wanted me to connect you with my contacts in the modeling world. I could have, and I have no doubt you would have excelled. However, I found a better path for you, one that repays a debt owed." "What the hell are you talking about?" I demanded, turning my gaze back to my mother. She avoided eye contact, while Charles smiled knowingly. Marian refused to look in my direction, her typical tight smile plastered on her face. "You were nothing but trash when I found you. I gave you a life. Your father wanted that before he left," Josiah chuckled softly. "How the hell would you know what my dad wanted?" I shouted, leaning forward. Josiah's chuckle grew louder. "We had a business transaction. Your mother just finalized it this afternoon, didn't you, Dana?" Mom nodded, still avoiding my gaze. "What's going on?" I rose to my feet, overwhelmed with nerves. Charles spoke up, "Colton needs to marry, just like anyone else in our circle. Since Josiah managed to acquire such a beautiful daughter, it only makes sense for our families to merge and become one of the most powerful in the city." Charles's words did nothing to alleviate the mounting anxiety within me. My face drained of color as the possibilities sank in. "Simeon needs a wife," Josiah continued. My stomach churned even faster. "And that wife will be you, Faith." "The hell it will!" I shouted. Josiah grabbed my arm as I lunged forward, determined to fight him. However, Simeon was quick to his feet, pulling me back.
One (3)
“Easy, my little rat,” Simeon hissed in my ear, sending shivers over me. Simeon's sinister whisper sent a chill down my spine, his grip on me tight. The fact that he wasn't resisting this union made my heart skip a beat. Josiah dismissed Dana without even bothering to look at her. She stood up silently and left the room. Charles's voice took on a dark tone as he addressed my mother, Marian. I stared at my mom in horror, struggling against Simeon's strong hold. "Mom! Mom!" I desperately called out to her retreating figure. "Don't let him do this!" All she said was, "It's done," as she left the room with Marian. Bitterness filled me as I watched them go. Simeon wrapped his arms around me, pulling me tightly against his chest. "You have been chosen, Faith. Don't disappoint me. It won't end well," Josiah growled. My voice shook as I protested, "I'm not doing this." Simeon's hold tightened, silencing me. Charles snarled as he advanced towards me, stopping in front of me and leering at my chest. Nausea twisted in my stomach. "You're beautiful," he said, reaching out to touch my face. Trembling against Simeon, I hissed, tears welling up in my eyes. "Fuck you." Simeon chuckled, his voice brushing against my ear. "Oh, baby, don't worry. We'll get to that part soon enough. Maybe I'll even let my friends watch." Charles and Josiah shared an ominous laugh as I clenched my jaw, refusing to let their words break me. Josiah proceeded to explain how everything would unfold. I interrupted, mentioning that Simeon already had a girlfriend. Charles responded, saying, "Because we chose you." He continued, his hand inching closer to my breast. I recoiled, seeking refuge in Simeon's embrace. Josiah chimed in, suggesting that Colton might be willing to share. Simeon dismissed the idea, much to my relief. "I don't do well with sharing my toys," he declared, cupping both of my breasts. The room erupted in laughter as I pleaded with him to stop, my dress falling down to reveal my vulnerability. Simeon persisted, pinching my nipple and causing me to cry out in pain and embarrassment. In a moment of desperation, I elbowed him and managed to break free from his grasp. I landed a punch on his face, but he retaliated by smacking me across the cheek, sending me crashing to the floor. I quickly pulled my dress back up, fighting back tears. No one had ever touched or humiliated me like this before. Charles laughed, cautioning Simeon not to harm me just yet. Simeon growled, yanking me back to my feet. Trembling in his hold, he leaned in close. "I love how you tremble for me," he whispered. "We're going to have so much fun together." He forcefully kissed me, but I refused to respond. When he finally pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine. "I'll have it all eventually, Faith. You might as well stop fighting me." I swallowed hard, the painful truth settling in my broken heart.
Two (1)
========== "You're going to adore Bolten," Mom exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement as we stood outside Josiah's sleek black luxury sedan twelve hours later. My cheek still throbbed from the forceful blow delivered by Simeon. I had concealed the unsightly purple bruise with a layer of makeup. After Simeon forcefully slid a diamond ring onto my finger, he had kissed me again and groped my backside, warning me that I would regret not succumbing to his advances when I had initially refused his kiss. As I opened the car door, Josiah smirked at me over the roof of the vehicle. I clenched my fists and suppressed my scowl. Both he and Mom were now on my list of people I despised. Who in their right mind arranges a marriage for their own child? And to such monstrous individuals? My heart ached for more reasons than one. "Bolten will be your paradise, Faith. It's where you'll blossom into a refined lady. No more all-black attire or dark nail polish," Mom continued, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "And you'll be with Simeon! We can hardly contain our excitement about planning this wedding..." I tuned her out as she prattled on about love, marriage, and wedding dresses. This wasn't the woman who had brought me into this world. I had perused the brochures for Bolten once again last night, cringing at the realization that someone like me, a pauper, would never fit in there. It was an institution for the privileged, the excessively indulgent, and the elite. None of those labels applied to me. I hailed from a broken home, lived in abject poverty, and detested being told what to do. I found solace in books, silence, and solitude. Convincing myself that the other students would be too self-absorbed to pay me any mind, and that enduring Bolten was a preferable alternative to remaining under Josiah's oppressive thumb, was the only thing that prevented me from outright refusing to go. Of course, Simeon would be there, but I hoped I could avoid him. If only. "You're going to adore it there," Mom's voice pierced through my angry thoughts. "I'm sure," I muttered, sinking into the backseat and crossing my arms over my chest. I had been coerced into wearing a cream-colored dress with a delicate matching belt cinched at the waist, along with matching heels. Mom had insisted on pearls and styled my hair into soft, blonde waves that cascaded down my back. She had even forced me to remove my nail polish and summoned her manicurist to give me a French manicure. "Before you know it, you'll be back home. Winter break is just a few months away," Mom said, glancing at Josiah as he settled behind the steering wheel. He rarely drove; most of the time, he occupied the backseat alongside Perry, his driver, chauffeuring us wherever we needed to go. I suppose he had made an exception for today. "We can organize an engagement party for Christmas," Mom continued, her words flowing like a river. Once again, I tuned her out, choosing instead to gaze out of the window at the passing scenery. Buildings. Countless buildings and luxurious cars. There was scarcely any greenery in sight. At least in my old neighborhood, we had a tree in the backyard. Everything in this neighborhood was bought and paid for. I loathed it as much as I loathed Josiah and his cronies. "Faith, did you hear what Josiah just said?" I tore my gaze away from the concrete jungle outside and fixed my stare on Josiah's eyes in the rearview mirror. "Can't say I care." "Faith," Mom admonished with a nervous laugh. "I mentioned that we've set up a spending account for you. You won't need to ask us for money. Anything we don't provide, Colton will," Josiah stated. Mom handed me a card from the front seat. "Isn't that generous?" "No thanks," I replied, refraining from reaching out for it. "Faith, you'll need the money. Bolten organizes various trips and activities. This will be of help to you. Please, take it." Mom leaned over the front seat, her eyes daring me to refuse once again. My mom wasn't a bad person. At least, she hadn't been. Dad's departure had broken her. When he vanished, she secluded herself in her bedroom for weeks. She lost her job. Then we couldn't afford our house, despite it not being extravagant by any means. We ended up relocating to a tiny, dilapidated place in the most rundown part of town because she went from earning a steady paycheck to waitressing in a hole-in-the-wall diner where tips were scarce. That was where she had met Josiah. He had walked in on a whim, or so his story went, but I had no clue what business Josiah would have in that part of town, let alone in the seediest eatery around. "Please?" Sighing, I snatched the card from her hand and stuffed it into my messenger bag. Perhaps I could use it to purchase a plane ticket far away from here. "Thank you." "Whatever." Mom's frown was evident as she turned back around, but Josiah swiftly seized her hand and squeezed it. He locked eyes with me once more. Memories of the previous night's events flooded my mind, triggering nausea at their ugliness. I tore my gaze away from him and resumed staring out of the window. God, how I despised him. I loathed them all. I needed to find a way to extricate myself from this mess. If only I could locate Dad. I attempted to tune out their conversation as they chatted away. The journey to Bolten wasn't excessively long, but it felt like an hour's worth of torment amidst the city's traffic, listening to Mom giggle at all the nonsense spewing from Josiah's mouth. By the time we arrived at the gates of Bolten Academy, I was ready to fling myself out of the moving car. As the door swung open, I darted out onto the sidewalk, clutching my bag tightly. But little did I know, I had escaped one hellish situation only to plunge into an even deeper abyss. Simeon awaited us on the pavement, wasting no time in pulling me towards him, a malevolent gleam in his emerald eyes. "Don't you dare lay a finger on me," I hissed, struggling to break free from his grasp. He wrapped his arm around my waist, holding me firmly against him. "I haven't even begun to touch you, Faith," he growled in my ear. "You'll fall in line or be put there. Trust me, if I put you in your place, you'll feel it for the better part of a month." His fingers grazed the bruise on my cheek.
Two (2)
That was all it took to make me to swing my arm forward to hit him. I let out a squeal of pain when he caught my arm and twisted it down to my side, his eyes dark. With a swift, instinctive motion, my arm swung forward, ready to strike him. But before I could make contact, he swiftly caught my arm and twisted it down to my side, his eyes filled with darkness. "Know your place, vermin," he snarled, his voice barely audible to anyone but me. "Raise your hand against me again, and you'll regret ever being born." "I already do," I gasped, feeling a surge of pain as he released his grip. A sinister smile played on his lips, sending shivers down my spine. "Look at the two of you. Already embracing your new life together," Josiah called out, breaking the tension. Simeon smirked in response. "I knew you'd be thrilled once you saw the campus!" Mom chimed in, clapping her hands with excitement before joining me at my side. Simeon took a step back, granting me a moment to catch my breath. As I surveyed the campus, thoughts of escaping and never looking back filled my mind. It resembled a college campus transformed into a kingdom of castles. Rolling green lawns, an array of buildings that served as both classrooms and dorms, paved trails. Yet, it was isolated in the midst of dense forests, surrounded by towering walls that seemed impossible to scale. "You'll receive the finest education here, Faith. I wouldn't have sent you if I had any doubts," Mom assured me. Josiah joined us, extending his hand for Simeon to shake. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at their camaraderie. "Once you turn eighteen, prestigious schools will be impressed by your time at Bolten. It'll open doors for you," Josiah explained, nodding his head. I sidestepped his attempt to place his hand on the small of my back, earning a glare from him that went unspoken. "Josiah spent all four years of high school at Bolten," Mom added, her arm wrapped around his waist. He transformed his glare into a facade of affection as Mom gazed up at him, completely oblivious. It made my stomach churn. He was nothing but a phony, and my mother was foolishly infatuated. "That was the best four years of my life," Josiah declared with false enthusiasm. "That's great and all, but can we just grab my bags so I can settle into my room?" I grumbled, pushing past them to reach the trunk. I hauled out my suitcases, casting Josiah and Mom a pointed look. Simeon, true to his douchery, made no effort to help. Instead, he stood there, wearing a self-satisfied smirk. Mom sighed, and Josiah forced a tight smile before they each grabbed a suitcase and followed me into what appeared to be the main building. It resembled a castle straight out of a fairytale, with its dark stone exterior and majestic towers. "Simeon, I have some matters to attend to," Josiah called out. "Of course. Charles said you left early to make your rounds," Simeon replied. Josiah nodded, his gaze shifting towards me. "And you, my little sewer rat, I'll see you later. Change out of that dress. If you're going to be seen with me, your attire should highlight your legs." I responded by flipping him off, earning a warning glance. Mom cleared her throat, disapprovingly eyeing me. Whatever. After the way she had betrayed me, flipping her off seemed fitting. I tore my attention away from her and took in my surroundings once more. Hundreds of students and their families roamed about, exuding an air of wealth. Designer clothes and expensive cell phones were the norm. Great. I had seen enough to know that this place would be a nightmare. I could feel it deep within my bones, even before stepping foot into my first class. But then again, consider the nightmare you'd face if you went back home. I clenched my teeth and held my head high. Yeah. Going back was not an option, if I could even call it home anymore. As far as I was concerned, I hadn't had a true home since my dad left. Not that this place would be any better, with Simeon lurking around. I needed a plan to escape from him. There was no way I would allow myself to be trapped in a marriage with that asshole.
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