Stephanie's POV
SLAP!
I staggered back as the sound echoed in my ears. Hot blood rushed to the spot, my fingers instinctively touching my cheek. This wasn't even the first time I had felt this familiar sensation, yet it still ached.
I looked at my grandfather. His face was twisted in a deep frown. The disgust and anger were clear.
"How many times have I told you to stop going after a married man?" he growled, grabbing the vase nearby and hurling it at me.
I saw the vase coming straight for me. I should have dodged but I couldn't. I knew very well what would happen if I did. It was easier to get hit than to anger him further.
My eyes closed as I waited for the pain, as if that would make anything better.
THUD!
I staggered as it struck me, a blunt pain spreading through my right shoulder. The vase shattered on impact, the sharp crash echoing as I collapsed to the ground, my palm pressing against the shards of broken glass.
I should have cried out in pain, yet this familiar agony brought me relief. The unbearable sting, the metallic smell in the air, it was a reminder that it was over. The punishment for my existence had ended, for now.
I slowly pushed myself up, kneeling. "I was there to meet Cliff like you asked. I didn't know Daniel was there," I stated calmly, speaking a truth he refused to see.
In his eyes, I wasn't Stephanie. I was my mother. His daughter. Hera.
"Don't feed me lies. Do you think I don't know your tricks? You must have set the meeting there just to use it as an excuse to go after him!" my grandfather shouted. He didn't care.
I kept my head down, silent. What was the point of arguing? It was like screaming in the darkness you were locked in as punishment. No matter how many times you screamed, no one came. No one cared. You only tired yourself and lost your voice.
"Master." The guard rushed in. Through my peripheral vision, I saw the look of pity he gave me. "Young Miss is stating the truth." He bowed before handing over the photographs. "Apparently, Master Cliff introduced himself as the young miss's husband."
At the last sentence, Grandpa gasped, his eyes widening in shock. "He did?" He looked at the guard, then at me. "Get up."
His voice remained cold, as if the news had only disappointed him; disappointed that he no longer had an excuse to punish me.
"Take her to the hospital," he instructed the guard. "Register the marriage tomorrow and try to have his child before the Grahams find out."
He left after those words. No apology. No concern. Only orders. Give birth to a child as if I were nothing but an incubator and a bed warmer. Then again, what did I expect? He only wanted me married for the benefit of the company he built. As long as I was even slightly useful, he would use me.
The only way for me to escape this prison was to become useless, a toy with no value.
"Young miss." The guard softly called, extending his hand.
"Thank you, Seb." I smiled faintly, taking his hand with my left.
"Can you take me to Lexi?" I asked, as if it were my first time making such a request.
Seb smiled and nodded, helping me to the car and settling me in the back seat.
***
"Again?" Lexi stared at my injuries and scoffed in disbelief. "What did that crazy old man think you did now? Cause another world war?" she huffed, pulling on gloves and sitting in front of me.
I swallowed. "I saw Daniel today…" I said calmly as Lexi grabbed the tweezers and began removing the glass shards embedded in my skin.
She kept her eyes on my wound. "And decided you must be going after him again."
This time, she sounded calmer. More resigned. I said nothing. There was no need.
"Why don't you leave that crazy family?" Lexi asked again as she carefully bandaged my palm before standing up to examine my shoulder.
It wasn't that I didn't want to. But my mother's words remained.
"They might punish you for my mistakes, but at least they will feed you, clothe you, give you a roof, and pay for your treatment. No matter what they say, swallow it. Surviving is most important. Grow up, live healthy, and grow old."
Those were the last words she told me on her deathbed. She was the infamous homewrecker, the heiress who used her power to force a married man to be with her. She was a villainess to the world but she was my mother.
The only person who loved me, cared for me, and wanted me to survive. I could never ask for a better mother. If she hadn't died, I would be somewhere far away with her. Maybe still struggling to survive but it would have been better.
"All done." Lexi removed her gloves and sat back down. "If you're going to bring up your mother's last wish, I'm sure she would urge you to leave now too. It was different ten years ago. You're an adult now," Lexi continued.
I sighed. I had thought about leaving many times. But I was a tool they needed. If I were careless, they would drag me back again and worse, they would go after Lexi too. The only way to escape was my death and I already had it prepared.
Just a little more time. Stephanie would no longer exist.