Isla shook free from her mother and asked the same, “Yeah, ruin what exactly?”

Her aunt smiled, but it wasn’t authentic. “Nothing, Judith. Everything is fine. Isla’s not feeling well. That happens to spoiled brats when they don’t get everything they want.”

Isla didn’t calm down. She got more riled. “I don’t know what is going on with you, but Judith has something to tell you. Tell them, Judith.”

Jude didn’t have to. Aunt Leslie grabbed at her chest and stumbled back to the chair. Jude’s mother jumped up to help her. “Leslie, are you okay?”

Leslie pointed at Jude and Jude covered her mouth to avoid screaming. She had no idea what was happening, but she started fearing for her life. Her feet stayed in place as her eyes went wide. Isla stormed passed her, barely missing her shoulder.

The other three were staring at her in horror. Her stepfather said, “What have you done?”

Her mother burst into tears, lowering her head into her lap. Jude took a step back, and then another.

Her aunt growled, “What have you done, child?”

Jude had tried to prepare herself for any reaction they would have upon hearing the news of her marriage, but she hadn’t expected this. She felt like a lamb standing in a den of lions. She backed up again, but her stepfather rushed her, grabbing her, and shaking her as he yelled, “What did you do? Judith. Judith. What have you done?”

Tears streaked down her cheeks as her hair fell free around her face. “What?” she cried. “What are you talking about?”

He let her go with a devastating push and she fell. She had never seen her stepfather break down but that was what he was doing. He was covering his face in agony as he walked to the couch and sat down next to his sobbing wife. “Shut up, woman!” he shouted at her mother.

Confused, Jude continued to cry, and asked, “What is wrong?”

Her aunt glared with no feeling left to give. “You got married. We know what you’re doing, you manipulative little bitch.”

The rings were turned over deftly, the diamond sticking into her palm as she fisted her hand. “I did. I got married.” She found herself bartering the best part of her life—Hazel—for their forgiveness. “He’s wonderful and so good. So, so good. He’s—”

Leslie stood up again, her composure back in place. “How could you do this without asking us?”

“Because it had nothing to do with you.”

“You didn’t tell us, Judith, because you knew we would say no. Now you’ve gone and ruined your life on a whim and we are left to clean up your mess. As usual.” She turned to Jude’s stepfather and said, “Handle this.” She walked out with regained poise without looking twice at Jude.

“What is ruined? Nothing is ruined. I’m in love. He loves me. This is good. This is good for me. I’m happy.”

“Judith, go to your room.” Any affection he’d felt for the girl he’d help raise had disappeared years ago, but judging by his antipathy now, she wasn’t even worthy of his anger, much less his approval.

“Don’t you want to know who I marr—”

He stood, meaning business. “Go to your room. We need to talk. I’ll be with you shortly.”

Remaining where she was, she wondered if they would ever treat her as the adult she was. “I don’t understand.”

“I don’t either,” he added. Her mother still sobbed at his side.

Jude would go because she needed to resolve this tonight. Lowering her head, she turned and went to the foyer. She caught a glimpse of Roman and Nadia down the hall and their expression spoke of defeat, similar to how she felt. Taking the stairs one at a time, she retraced her tracks, each step representing another time she had disappointed her family.

When Ryan died, her saving grace died with him. Until she met a hazel-eyed man who made her breath stop short while she basked in the glow of his kindness and beauty. She stuck her hand in her pocket and her fingers settled around his phone. She wanted to call him. But when she walked into her room, she decided it was best if she didn’t. There was no need to upset him needlessly. I’ll be quick and get out of here even faster.

Setting the phone on her vanity next to the photo of her brother, she went to her closet and grabbed a suitcase. This would no longer be her life. She refused to remain in this room any longer. It was time. Time to pack up her life from and leave this pink-walled prison. Opening it on the floor, she started gathering her clothes.

She had filled the suitcase, but the rest of her stuff didn’t matter. There wasn’t much she wanted from this room, this house, this life. Not much she wanted to take into her new life really. After tucking the photo of her brother between some clothes, she shut the suitcase and stood it up, placing it by the door.

Going back for the phone, the door opened and she looked back, stilling.

Her mother stood there, her face red and her eyes swollen, making her blue eyes even icier. She quietly closed the door behind her, seeming to question the act. This was not the composed woman she knew her mother to be. This version of her mother’s voice shook like her trembling body. “I love you, Judith. Remember that. Okay?” Jude didn’t reply. Instead she stared at her mother, watching her like one would watch a caged tiger. “I didn’t want to do it, but I understood the need. I’m a victim like you. Blackmailed into sacrifice.”

“What are you talking about?” Jude spoke with strength, but her knees felt weak. “Mother?”

Her hands twisted round and round each other and Jude was mesmerized by the action. Her mother started mumbling, “I tried to talk some sense into them. I tried to stop this. But you don’t understand. They’re very convincing. I’d lost my son already. They promised I would get to keep you…”

Jude’s brow grew heavy as her fate dawned on her. Spinning around, she went for the phone—her saving grace in the moment.

The door burst open, slamming against the wall and puncturing the plaster. Just as she picked up the phone, two men grabbed her. It fell to the floor as she was thrown to the bed. Facedown, she turned to the side gasping for air. Trading her fate for her destiny, she begged, “No. No. No. Please. I’m married now.”

The needle went in while she fought and screamed against the tight hold on her arms and legs. When released, she immediately rolled onto her back. “Why?” she cried, pushing against the mattress to move her body toward the headboard. How? How do they get here so fast? It should take hours.

Tears streamed over her temples and into her hair, but she lay there, knowing there was no point in fighting the drug. She wouldn’t make it to the door before collapsing. She wouldn’t even make it off the mattress. She knew this part too well. Her soul started to detach itself from her body and she began floating.

The men left and her aunt appeared, standing over her, staring down at her. “Just one more visit and we’ll have all we need. Then you can kill yourself and succeed at one thing in life.”

Paralyzed in place, her mind began obscuring the details. Jude whispered, “He’ll come for me. You’ll see.”

“Who, dear?” she asked, leaning over her.

“Hazel…”

TAYLOR SAT AT his drafting table, but was unable to focus on the project in front of him. He looked at his watch for what felt like the millionth time. It was after seven, the sun had set and he still hadn’t heard from Jude. Finally. A knock on the door sent him to his feet, rushing to open it.

When he saw the food delivery guy, logic returned reluctantly. Jude wouldn’t knock. She’d come in. He paid the guy and took the food to the kitchen to unpack it. He struggled to care about dinner with his mind on his wife. He picked up his home phone to call her. He should have gotten her a phone number long before now. Before it started ringing, he hung up. He reasoned. She said she’d call, so she’ll call.