Page 3 of Sweetest Revenge

How did I miss it?

Behind the anger, there was pain. Guilt. Shame.

I may have grown up with my father’s money, but I was young enough to adapt. He taught me that much at least before leaving this earth.

My mother, on the other hand…

My eyes welled with stinging tears while a renewed anger burned bright inside me, threatening to destroy everything in its path.

His fault. All his fucking fault.

If it weren’t for him, Father would still be here and Mother wouldn’t have dared?—

My throat caught. I couldn’t think about it anymore.

I looked over the welcome email again, my eyes catching on the bold title.

Black Silk Auction welcomes you…

I never thought I'd stoop to this level. Sell my body.

Being raised in a millionaire family meant I’d never really thought much about what would happen if we lost our money. It was almost impossible.

But the impossible happens every day.

And this would be my only chance to get back at him.

“Ms. Mercer?”

My gaze snapped to the door, Mother’s doctor standing there with a forced smile and sad eyes.

Shit.

“I thought Fridays were your day off,” I said and started to grab my things. A cheap tote, my Gentle Monsters that I hid from the creditor, and my phone. I didn’t have much on me anymore. A bit embarrassing. But nothing was more embarrassing than the conversation we were about to have.

“I’m covering,” he said and jerked his head back, signaling me to step outside.

Not like Mother can hear anyway. My thoughts were bitter, but inside I appreciated the gesture.

I stood and leaned over to place a gentle kiss on my mother’s forehead.

“I’ll be back,” I whispered. “Trust me. I’ll save us.”

I followed the doctor out into the hallway. It was late at night with only a few nurses at the station. Visitor hours were long since over, but they made an exception for the blonde Mercer girl. Even if it was out of pity, I would take what I could get.

I crossed my arms as the doctor turned to me, a silly habit and a way to physically try to keep myself together when it felt like the world was going to tear me apart.

The doctor had kind hazel eyes behind rounded frames, messy sandy blond hair, and a light scruff, no doubt from all the extra hours he’d been working.

I paused, the voices from the nurses making their way down the hallway.

“No, she’s the one!”

“No way. She doesn’t even look that rich. Did you see those roots?”

“That’s the point! They lost it all! Her dad was some crazy, fucked-up CEO who, like, stole everyone’s?—”

The doctor cleared his throat loudly, silencing the nurses. “Get back to work.”

---