Page 90 of Brutal Knight

And, even though they hadn't asked me, I'd decided I wouldn’t fight the decision.

My whole life, I’d been subjugated to my parents’ whims, and for once, I was going to make this choice on my own.

I would walk down that aisle. I would be the doting wife he expected.

And, I was going to make him fall deeply, madly in love with me.

ThenIwould have all the power. For once in my life, I would be able to dictate the choices in my life.

But, Knight's sudden appearance in my life meant something,I knew it.

Trying, and failing, to squash the hope inside me, I strode towards my door. Still clutching the ribbon in my hand, I made my way down the hallway.

It was so eerie to not hear the TV.

I checked my parents’ room first; they usually slept in until at least noon.

Empty.

Eyebrows furrowed, I walked past the only bathroom towards the vintage, teal-colored kitchen.

Maybe they woke up early and were eating?

At the sound of a noise scraping behind me, I stilled, then turned towards the living room.

We had one sofa, and on it, sat a man I’d never seen in my house: Pablo, Knight’s cousin.

No no no. This wasn’t good.

My heart tumbled in fear as he rose at my approach.

He was wearing an expensive suit and, even though he was a little overweight, his face was handsome. But it was hidden by the serious look on his face. I swallowed down the lump in my throat. "Where are they?"

Afamilyman in my living room could only mean one thing.

At the small, pitying look he gave me, I shook my head in anger and repeated myself. "Where are they?"

"There was an accident," He started and I laughed in disbelief.

"Anaccident." I bit out. “Please have the courtesy not to lie to me.” He didn’t speak, so I spoke for him. “Are they dead?”

"Yes." So curt, so lifeless--his expression. I’d discovered my parents were dead by a man who really didn’t give a shit.

I suddenly couldn’t breathe. My chest was so tight.What was I going to do now?

My parents made all the appointments for me. And thefamiliarented out this house—my parents had always complained about the exorbitant rate—I’d probably have to leave.

"How much time do I have?" my voice choked with emotion. I had nowhere to go. My parents never allowed me to have friends, with the exception of when Knight was in town. And only because he was El Abuelo's heir.

The man's eyebrows furrowed. “How much time?"

An angry tear tracked down my cheek and I rushed to wipe it away. I wouldn’t let him see my pain. I had to be stronger now.

"The house," I managed to make my voice strong. "How much time will you give me?"

"Oh," he says, like kicking me out on the street wasn’t a big deal. “You don’t need to leave.”

“What?"

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