Page 159 of Poison Aches

“You’re both here. Good,” the older man says, but no one responds, meanwhile it feels like my head is spinning.

“Your son has two daughters,” the older man in the wheelchair says when his eyes track to me. “Either way, our new agreement still stands.”

“Agreement?” Governor Hughes finally says, as he steps forward. “We agreed to deny.”

“Well, Armando and I drafted a new agreement,” Governor Hughes’ father speaks, stepping closer to where everyone is gathered around the front doors that are now closed shut, likely to keep the guests inside, unaware of what’s happening right outside.

“What new agreement?” Governor Hughes demands

“The original one was amended to match your current standing, so for your political advancement as well as my empire, in five days, your daughter will marry the boss of the Easton Outfit.”

Wait, what?

“Ewww, I won’t do it!” Melissa suddenly shrieks loudly. “I’m not going to marry the boss of the Easton Outfit! I’ve heard the rumors! He’s old and disgusting and he’s a beast! A ruthless, violent old man that kills anyone! I won’t do it!”

A shudder powers through my body when her eyes suddenly track to me.

“She’ll do it!” Melissa shouts, pointing at me. “I tracked her down and brought her here just for this. She’ll do it!”

Everything in me freezes.

“You tracked me down and approached me… for this?” I ask quietly, almost brokenly, silently begging her to change what she just said.

“Yes, of course! The agreement between the Hughes and the Eastons was made when Mom was pregnant twenty-seven years ago, so I’ve since known that I’ll have to marry into their vile family, so I found you. After all, Mom kept you tucked away just for this.”

“What?” I mutter, looking at the woman who’s holding Melissa’s hand.

The closeness and intimacy between mother and daughter is very obvious.

“Tell them, Mom!” Melissa urges her mother. “Tell Grandpa the plan you put into effect!”

I stare at the woman, but she doesn’t bother looking at me.

“Mel is right,” the woman says. “With Teddy’s political future, we have to keep things clean and perfect for Melissa. After all, she’ll be the first daughter soon, so we kept the other girl alive for other business dealings.”

My entire world collapses on top of my head.

A ridge-like gap widens in my soul as I hear how clear those words are.

I turn to look at Emmett.

He’s already watching me and I realize then that he also knew about all this.

It’s not a lie. This is all true.

Oh God.

“So yeah, there you go, Grandpa!” Melissa says happily. “Two birds, one stone.”

“Melissa, that’s enough,” Governor Hughes suddenly says but when he turns to me, coming down the stairs, getting closer to the car, he has a glimmer in his eyes.

As if in sync, Emmett and Vaughn suddenly stand up at their full height, Governor Hughes halts to a stop immediately, as if intimidated.

He peeks at me. “You, what’s your name?”

I remain mute.

“Ivy,” Melissa speaks up. “They named her Ivy.”

---