004

004

Zoey:

My eyes fluttered open, the sun rays hit my eyes from the corner. I blinked rapidly to shake off the tiny blur of floating dots that danced in the corners of my vision.

Groaning, I tossed and turned.

I rose from the bed, going to the bathroom.

I showered and got dressed in an evening dress I found in the closet.

I ran down the stairs, my flip-flops slapping against the marble floors with each step I took.

The familiar aroma of Mom's pancakes hit me as I descended the stairs.

Mom was sitting in the dining area with Mia and my stepfather.

My stepfather noticed me immediately, snapping his neck back to look at me. At least he cared.

He flashed me a smile. “Good morning!".

I nodded in response, forcing a smile. “Morning!".

I sheepishly moved and sat in an empty seat, keeping my distance from them, especially from Mia who was eyeing me with disdain written on her face.

I grabbed a plate from the center of the table, picking my pancakes into the plate before taking small bites as I stole glances at my stepfather.

“Did you sleep well?" He asked out of the blue, almost making me choke on my pancake.

I wasn't used to such pleasantries anyway.

I cleared my throat, brushing my hair behind my ear as I swallowed hard.

“Yes, I did, thank you.” I nodded.

“I’m glad,”.

I shook my head slightly, irritation washing over me.

As I gazed at Mia, my phone rang with a notification, cutting the line between us.

My eyes darted to my phone and I grabbed it, looking at the screen.

It was a text from Mom.

My eyebrows furrowed as I looked over the table to look at her. She placed her phone down, pretending as if nothing happened.

Why was she texting me when she could just say whatever she has to say?

I clicked on the notification and it brought me to her inbox where a video was.

I downloaded the video, clicking on it to watch it.

My hand flew to my mouth, silencing my gasp.

I couldn't believe what I saw. I immediately paused the video, trying to process everything.

I looked at the screen again.

There I laid on the bed with my husband, no, ex-husband on top of me.

How did she have the sex tape? Where did she get it from?!

I stuttered, placing the phone down.

“Mom," I called, “Where did you find this?" My face hardened with a frown.

She stabbed her pancake gently with her fork, smirking.

"There's no need for you to know, darling," she said with a smirk on her face.

I looked at Mia who was also smirking.

It seemed as if it was all planned but why would they even do that? Especially Seth. The last time we had a thing together was four years ago. Why did he even record it in the first place? How?!

“Mom, what's going on?" I asked in a small voice, my face dropping.

She smiled, "The sextape is our leverage on you, dear daughter. Now, you'll do everything I say if you don't want to be ruined!”.

My heart stopped for a second. It felt as though my existence was crushed.

What was she talking about? How did she do this? Why would they even think about doing this to me?

Was this actually my family or a set of strangers?

Tears stung my eyes, threatening to fall and my existence felt defeated.

“Why did you do this?” My voice broke and a lone tear slipped down my face.

“We are not requesting much from you, darling. The company needs a collaboration and we need you to marry a billionaire's son. He isn't that bad. Asher Amber will treat you nice,” Mom placed her elbow on the table as her jaw rested in her palm.

“You said you wanted me to have nothing to do with the company?! You hijacked it and gave it to Mia so why doesn't she marry him?! He isn't that bad, right?” I banged my fist on the tabletop, the cutleries clattering on the dishes as I rose up.

Mom's face darkened and she rose up too. “How dare you raise your voice at me? Don't be stupid, Zoey Seraphina Willie! Sit down, I am your mother!!”. She sprang up, pulling out a pistol from her back and pointing it at me.

My heart squeezed in my chest as I squeezed my eyes shut, the tears I held in spilling down my face.

“I regret having you as my mother," I whispered, shaking my head bitterly as I lowered my body to sit.

“So do I regret having to call you as my daughter, Zoey,” She lowered the gun.

Silence intoxicated with tension floated in the air.

"So, are you doing it or not? I don't have much time to waste to convince you.” There goes my little sister, speaking as if she's the older one here.

"Answer her!" Greg spat.

This moment decides my fate. My destiny. My life. My future.

My decision matters and it would change everything either way.