Chapter Six
Amber
Two months — not even. Only nine weeks as Kian’s wife, and I received the message that I had longed for so much. The one I now came to dread. Angela was back. She was ready to switch, which meant that as I stripped down, showering thoroughly, I prepared to leave everything behind. I couldn’t bring any of the clothes or gifts. When I switched with Angela, she would take the ring and the rest of the jewelry Kian bought for me because it was never for me. It always belonged to her.
While he worked, I quickly hurried to my father’s house, going through the usual before coming into a room where Angela waited, pouting with her large suitcases and what seemed to be a few new ones.
“Angela! Are you okay?” I cried, racing for her.
She waved me off. “I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with.” We both changed, her into the outfit I wore and me into scrubs, and as we did, Angela glanced over at me. “Wow — you couldn’t avoid those bruises could you?”
“I tried.”
“Well, now I’ve got to bruise myself. Fun!” She was always the braver, not even hesitating as she studied my body and mimicked them on her own. “I had really hoped that Maximillian was as rich as he said, but that old bastard blew his fortune on me in the first month. Also, you should have laid off the food. You’ve gotten fat, and I can’t replicate that.”
“We’re close enough,” I assured her, fighting to swallow back the apology that immediately rose in my throat.
“At least you were nice enough to get clothes I actually like. Dad said his men will have to box my stuff and have it delivered,” Angela grumbled, sighing as she tossed her hair. “Also, you have to cut your hair.”
Of course. Just another way to add insult to injury. Cutting my hair by feel as Angela did her make-up in the mirror, complaining about how ‘plain’ I made mine.
“He’s going to be so excited when he sees how hot I am in comparison,” Angela replied, pinching me before taking the scissors. “Sheesh, you’re bad at this.” She grabbed my hair, gathering it and cutting it above my shoulders. “There. That’s fine for a nurse.”
I wanted to cry. Though I always felt less than Angela, I thought things got better after I moved away, but maybe the distance simply blinded me.
“The nursery — ”
“Oh, don’t worry. He has enough money that I can fix whatever you did,” Angela laughed. “You’re not pregnant, right?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m not, but Kian picked out some of the items, so if you get rid of them, he might be suspicious.”
Telling her everything I could without destroying myself, I did my best to keep my hands away from my middle. I had little doubt about my pregnancy, but it was still too early, and I had no intention of giving my child to Angela. This belonged to me. This was mine. I would never come near Angela or Kian again. He would never know about me, but I just wanted to keep the child of the man I loved.
As Angela left, heading out with her usual swagger, I remained, watching my sister take her rightful place even as my heart broke.
My father stood beside me, and after a moment, he sighed. “Thank you for your service. I can pay — ”
“I don’t want your money,” I interrupted, gathering my things. “I want you to swear you’ll never come anywhere near me again.”
“Amber…”
“Did you ever even love me? Or was I always just a tool?” I asked, fighting back the grief burning up inside my chest.
Rolling his eyes, my father huffed, “When your mother died, I knew this day would come. I was never suited to raise children. Honestly, the only reason I ever tried was for a son, but with the Alinejad deal, Angela proved herself the better tool.”
My heart sank. It was everything I believed, but I had hurt myself by being stupid enough to ask. “Lose my number.”
I walked out, scheduling a ticket for the west coast. As a mobster’s daughter, I had an escape route planned, but I never used it. Now, it was time. I would never let myself feel this way again.