Once upon a night

ry

I messed up. I had a one-night stand with a stranger. Thankfully, he was stil

d the concept of a d

erious manhandled my body was magical; I lost count of the number of times I

to clear up my head but I wondered if

the taxi driver broke

ht out a little cash from my purse and hand

or my keys. I sighed in relief when my hand to

ght I

budge. I changed sides and inserted it again, but it still

I had been living in this house for twent

. Frustration washed over me, and I started kicking the door with my foot, the

darling," a familiar voice

known, this

iting? " my mother mocked wit

me you cha

what? It's my h

This is my Fa

is house together; our names were both written in the docume

one. This is the only thing my father left for me. Why can't

t, only if you

hat is

back to C

? My life is

you anymore. You're pretty much deser

rted is because of you Mom

ave to do what I have to

e. But nothing you do will make me succumb to you, so d

gets you to follow me back ho

ocked on his door angrily. If he thought he c

e called i

r everything that you've put me through. You're just going to

n't make me stop taking responsibil

ut in a whisper as if my vocal cords were strug

couldn't bring myself to tell you cos I didn't want to

upted by a feminine voice and

ved to close the door, but it was too l

oyfriend's house. And s

n surprise and turned back almost imm

people I loved and trusted, the one I thought was my partner, my everything

sting in my heart, a searing

ppening" I yelled as I grasped at his shi

ix of anger, sadness, and pleading, hopin

said broke me the

nse of loss, It was as if my heart w

rls in this world Atlas. You c

e making a sce

out, Joey come out! You bitch" I tried to force my wa

l my strength determined to get hold of that betrayer and tear her into

to break free, but he held me back, his fingers digging deep into my skin. I felt a s

the ground, my consciousness slipping away like sand between my fingers.

*

ing around, Mother!" I snapped, m

er all, your business is mine now," she s

nger. "I'm warning you, stay away." My

r ear. She turned to me with a saccharine smile. "Get dre

't even agreed yet!" I protes

rday, but you refused to wake up." Her tone was cond

over soon," She turned and wa

as we climbed down the stairs, I could hear voices

ed out of the house; her parents also

with your sister," m

I'm going alone," Jane huffed and got into h

th us," my mother sighed, her

coats and guided us in. They stopped by a big table, where a woman, probably the same age

" she greeted, throwing her arms out as she hugge

you're making it like it's the

e important visitors eve

us, then," my mother

I stood there, watching until my mother

daughter Amery." My mom sm

ws," she signaled me with her

ced a smile, stretching my ha

eal life. Welcome, I'm happy to have you," Diana ga

f. This marriage can't be that ba

nd Levin. Make yourself

s back. Will he be joinin

right now. He'll join us later "

that the first son left the family seven years ago af

ey've made up," m

on as the heir? I thought he wa

es the first son, then I'll have Levin to my

to happen" my mother cautione

is late 50s, walked in. He exchanged greet

ear footsteps from the stairs,

ne, dirty blonde hair, and brown eyes.

smiling, I could see a stri

on a call with a client and I lost track of

she has been eager to meet you," Diana

But if I knew he was this go

from the bottom of my heart. But Levin just glanced at me

t happened, or maybe they didn't. I fel

why didn't my mother just let her get married to him instead? I

ne response from Diana, who pointed out where the restroom was fo

cleaned my face with a disposable towel. My head was spinning, considering I had just w

t alone love me. I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't want to play. I j

inning out of control. My head was throbbi

. "Oh God, it's coming," I muttered, my voice b

sense of weightlessness before I cr

through the fog. "Hey! Are you okay?" it asked, laced with concern.

ain, his voice softer this time. I looked up, still trying to clear the haze, and saw the stranger's face inches

ritten all over my face. He helped me up, his hand still on my shoulder, and I felt a

u doing here?" I managed to stammer after what fe

e me, but his expression was l

he said through gritted teeth like t

d in the gut. Is this a pra

most ecstasy, the one I couldn't get out of my head despite my situat

spin again. Can to