BILLIONAIRE'S POSSESSION: A DANGEROUS CRAVING

1: PEOPL

IA'S

otiness. Aunt Beatrice, all decked out

ipping with the syrup of fake sympathy, "how

vely at my simple black dress, the one I wore

ns adorning the rest of the room, a room that

t stretched at the corners and

gauntlet I'd traversed for years, hoping, naivel

rek, usually my silent shield against their barbs, stood by the fir

voice laced with the gentle sweetness that always preceded a viperous a

digging uncomfortably into my skin. It was a simple thing, a family heirloom fr

is voice devoid of warmth. "That's enough. Sop

m. Uncle Charles, puffed on his cigar, th

distractions like…" He trailed off, his gaze sweeping o

built his tech empire on the foundation of my unwavering support and tireless management of his early endeavors,

ribs. A sudden tug on my arm jolted me back to reality. Mildred, her face contorte

he pendant aloft, "doesn't

, the constant pressure to fit in, and the subtle ways people h

out. It was a whimper, a pathetic plea that mirrored the years I'd spent trying to a

is meek, spineless woman staring back at them in the reflection of the pol

in for something as simple as a necklace, or maybe it was the daw

ark of defiance within me, a tiny fl

ct, I lunged forward, sn

ing the pendant clatteri

p from the st

as a low growl, laced with a newfoun

broken chain,."has more history and val

n the air, a challenge

in rage, but for the first time, they seemed uns

cted slap land

ur in-laws that way? It shows how little your

married my brother, so let that sink into your head. You are most definitely obligat

who didn't even rais

rom my eyes as

thing about this? Are you just going to watch t

because you're my wife. Just try to do as they say. For me, huh?" He l

y years and never wanted to lo

ogether, I felt I'd be doing mys

know." He wiped my tears with his thump as I turned to

I let out i

tting married to you. What man would look at you

e's apologized, now go to

esides I'm not done with her

lanced at his

can't control everything that she does,

s had each other's backs an

or once did

was misbehaving, they e

d glanced at the table. "It shouldn't be a problem for you should

Derek before turning t

my eyes I noticed D

ell what he

or did he enjoy me doing all