6| Don't mess with me

Astrid

The room was so quiet, I could hear my heartbeat, rapid and unsteady. If it weren’t for his firm hand holding me in place, my legs would have given way, and I would have collapsed on the cold marble floor.

Sweat trickled down my back and panic gripped my chest. It felt like I was trying to breathe through a straw.

I was sold to my husband? No, that can’t be true. Nathaniel couldn’t have bought me as if I was a piece of livestock. Even if I was treated like a servant by everyone, even if I wasn’t my parents’ favourite. I refused to believe they would stoop so low as to sell me like a commodity.

“Y-you are lying.” I muttered, shaking my head in denial. My throat was tight, the words felt like stones rolling off my tongue. “They wouldn’t do that! My parents wouldn’t sell me. I....I’m still their daughter. No parents would sell their child.”

Nathaniel didn’t flinch. He looked at me, cold and amused. It was like he was watching a little kid throw a tantrum.

“Answer me! This is a joke, right? They wouldn’t—”

“Oh, stop acting like a naive fool, Astrid. You’re nothing but a transaction. You were sold to us. To me, like a piece of property. Your parents agreed to our marriage if I cleared off your family’s debt.” He paused, a cold frown playing on his lips as the words echoed in my ears. “Of course, I added a clause, and they happily agreed. If you divorced me, you will owe my family millions, something you can’t afford. You will have to work like a slave for years to clear it. So, don’t be stupid to think you can leave me. People like you don’t have that luxury.”

My legs wobbled beneath me and I stumbled back. My body hit the floor as soon as Nathaniel let go. I struggled to breathe, my vision blurred as tears threatened to spill.

A piece of property? I was nothing but a piece of property?

I had no idea what hurt the most, the fact that my parents sold me like I was a piece of meat, or that Nathaniel bought me like an item on display. A wave of nausea rolled through me as I looked at the man I had once loved. No wonder the thought of me leaving seemed absurd to him. I would be destroying myself if I were to divorce him.

“Woah, would you look at her face? She finally realizes she is worth less than a servant to our family.” Olivia chuckled as if this was the best time of her life. “Now, shouldn’t you be licking my feet, you fucking nerd?”

I didn’t reply; I just stared at the floor. Whatever little faith I had left in people was gone. My body felt like a hollow shell.

Nathaniel’s mother scoffed. “I can’t believe you had the nerve to call me a hag. Take a look in the mirror—my son isn’t even attracted to you. Don’t be an idiot. Know your place. Go on your knees and apologize this instant, and maybe I’ll give you another chance.”

“Astrid,” Serena’s soft voice called. I looked up as she walked over to Nathaniel, positioning herself behind him, as if she was afraid I’d lose control and hit her again. Nathaniel held her waist, a protective glimmer in his eyes. She smiled innocently at him before shifting her gaze to me.

“I’m sorry if you think this is unfair, but please think about our parents. They didn’t sleep for days after signing that contract. And as the oldest daughter, it’s your duty to carry their burden. Margaret is actually showing you mercy by giving you a second chance to fix your mistake.”

My duty? When had it ever been my duty to carry the burden of a family that never loved me? Why was I the one at fault when it was my husband and younger sister who cheated?

Love truly made one blind. I should have realized this sooner—this family was a fucking joke. My husband disgusted me, everyone here disgusted me. No more playing the flawless, devoted wife—I was done with this family!

“You should also apologize to Serena for yesterday. You acted like an uncivilized woman.” Nathaniel said, his face devoid of any warmth as he looked down at me.

Before I could stop myself. I let out a dry, mocking laugh at his statement. “Ah, you’re all......you’re all a joke.” I managed to gasp, wiping a tear from my cheek. “How can people be this shameless? Don't you have any dignity?”

“What?” His face’s darkened with rage as he took a threatening step towards me. But instead of being scared, the laughter came harder, my shoulder shaking as I clutched my sides.

“I said everyone here is a joke, clowns. Or are you deaf?” I sneered, breathing heavily. They stared at me as if I’d lost my mind, but I didn’t care. I wanted to show them just how crazy a woman could become when pushed to the edge of despair.

I stood up, letting my gaze linger on each of them. These were the people I wasted years trying to please while they treated me like I was nothing. I was such an idiot.

“Since we all have opinions to share, I should share mine.” I said, my gaze locked on his mother. “Let’s start with you. Margaret, you act all big and mighty, but you’re nothing but a bitter old bully who can’t stand to see anyone happy. Maybe it’s because you couldn’t keep your man and let him sleep around while he was still alive. Or maybe it’s the fact that you don’t have any friends. You’re lonely, and you’ll die that way.”

“You—”

“Oh, shut up.” I glared at her, raising a hand to cut her off, before turning to Olivia. “And you, what exactly is it that you do again? You’re just a spoiled, useless princess. You spend all your money to make yourself look better, but you continue to look worse. You’re a walking disaster.” Olivia looked at me in shock, her mouth opening and closing, but no words came out.

Finally, I turned to Nathaniel and Serena. A small smile played on my lips. “Would you look at this, a man whore and a slut. You guys are a perfect match made in heaven.” I mused. “Oh, I feel bad for you, Nathaniel, because this two-faced bitch has you wrapped around her fingers......No, actually, I feel bad for you, Serena, because this man—I mean, this little boy is just a coward who hides behind his family’s wealth. Deep down, he knows he’s nothing without it. And he’s never satisfied with something. He will eventually grow tired of you, too. And I will be there to enjoy that day. The day another woman would make you suffer, just like you made me, Serena.”

“You’re all hypocrites. If you think I’ll just stand by and let you destroy my life, you’re kidding yourself. I’ll make sure to destroy yours first. I will let everyone know how a popular model slept with her sister’s husband. Everyone will know how a powerful family bought a woman! So, don't mess with me.”

If they thought they could buy me like a piece of property, then I would make sure they paid dearly for underestimating me.