Roxanne saw me and stepped back like I was dangerous.
“Why is she here?” she asked softly. “Did she say bad things about me again? I never wanted to take her husband. I’m really sorry, sister.”
My parents shielded her immediately.
My father pointed at the door.
“Take your face and that child and get out.”
Roxanne cried quietly, hiding her face.
That was when I stopped crying.
I smiled. Small. Bitter.
A year of kidnapping hadn’t broken me like this. My family did it in minutes.
Then David arrived, gifts in his arms, men behind him filling the room with pressure. When he saw me, his face turned cold.
“What are you doing here?”
Roxanne stepped in fast.“Please don’t be angry at her. She’s always hated me. She’s insecure and jealous. Now that you chose me, she can’t accept it.” She lowered her head. “I’ll apologize to her. Just don’t hate her because of me.”
I watched them… And finally understood. I was never their daughter. Never his wife. I was just the mistake they all agreed to erase.
…
I got home with Ryle.