Chapter 4 Rayna

"Stop at one of the stores and get her a scarf and a necklace," My fiance spoke into the intercom fixed into the car.

Then he turned dark eyes at me, "For your neck," he explains, "We both know it was an accident, but I would hate for people to think a man like me is an abuser."

I nodded, "Of course."

The car pulled to a stop across a street which boasted designer stores and I heard the passenger door open. Jared's assistant Lilian stepped out of the car, wearing her usual pinched face expression as she crossed over to the Hermes store.

I hated the assistant almost as much as I hated my fiance. She acted like her boss was the best thing to have ever happened to the human population and treated me like garbage.

Fifteen minutes later, she was back with a box tucked under her arm. She opened the door and passed Jared the box before walking to the passenger side of the car.

The fat man passed me the box, "Open it."

With a feigned shy smile, I pulled open the lid and let out a gasp of pleasant surprise as fake as my smile.

"Oh it's beautiful," I exclaimed. It was large, gaudy and was meant to display wealth. There was nothing classy about it, but then again, money couldn't buy class.

"Thank you, sir," I told him.

"I'm going to need more than words," the sides of his mouth curled up and I forced myself not to recoil from that smile.

Leaning forward, I pressed my lips to his and then jerked away quickly.

He chuckled, jowls vibrating, "You're so cute. I can't wait to devour you."

I giggled, while on the inside, my heart was racing and my stomach was clenched painfully.

As soon as the car pulled up in front of my house, I jumped out of the car and dashed away as fast as my legs could carry me away from my sleazy fiance.

I barged into the house to find my mother standing in the foyer, eyes shining down at the box in my hands.

"Give me that," she snatched it from my hand and immediately pulled out the chunky diamond necklace, "Mr. Winehall is so generous."

I almost snapped at her that she should go marry him if he was so wonderful.

"Honey, did you see this?" She called out at my uncle, "Look what he bought for her. She's so spoiled."

Then her eyes turned hard as they met mine, "I hope you don't think you'll be keeping this. After all, we are the reason you know him at all. This is our payment for bringing the both of you together. It's the least we deserve."

I tugged up my collar to hide my bruised neck, not because I didn't want my mother to see the evidence of my abuse, but because she would only accuse me of trying to sabotage my marriage by being stubborn.

My uncle suddenly marched into the room, looking like the cat that had gotten the cream, "I have good news."

"What good news?" The green eyed woman asked, clasping the jewelry around her neck.

"Mr. Winehall is now free from his court case and the wedding will be taking place next week Saturday."

My head whirled at his words, "W-what? Impossible! He said no such thing in the car."

Uncle Timothy's sharp eyes met mine, fury hardening them, "Shut your dirty trap child. I wasn't talking to you. And you had better be happy that he's so eager to have you. I thought by now he would surely have lost interest."

"N-no," I muttered, blood draining from my face, "it can't be. What about my degree?"

The older man snorted, "Don't be stupid. What do you need that ridiculous high school diploma for when you'll have a billionaire husband?"

"We had a deal," I gritted out, "I can't marry him without finishing high school."

"You're of age, that's what matters," the woman advanced towards me, fists clenched, "Don't embarrass us with your fickle protests. You would be a fool to let a man like Jared slip through your fingers."

"If he's so perfect, then why don't you go be with him!" I roared, "he's a monster and he's old enough to be my grandfather. I won't marry him. You can't make me."

The blow to my face made static rush through my ears and I fell to the ground with a pained scream.

"You impudent bitch!" My uncle roared, as the toe of his shoe made contact with my stomach.

"Arrgh!" I screamed, trying to crawl away, but my mother was suddenly behind me, dragging me to my knees by my hair. I felt my hair being ripped out and I let out a cry of dismay.

Blows rained down on my from every direction till I could do nothing but curl into a ball and sob.

"After everything we've done for you, you dare defy us!" My uncle growled, "I'm going to call Mr. Winehall. Go and get her things packed and ready, Esther."

I waited till I heard the sound of their exiting footsteps to climb to my feet slowly, biting back my groans. Then with every last drop of strength left in me, I walked through the front doors and out of the house, hugging my backpack to my chest.

Everything hurt, but I knew this would be my only opportunity to get away.

It was now or never.

And I knew what I had just faced would be nothing but the tip of an iceberg compared to what I would face in the hands of Jared.

Luckily for me, a cab was just pulling away from the curb and I immediately flagged it down and climbed into the back.

"Where to, ma'am?" The driver asked.

"Airport," I croaked.

As the cab began to drive away, I gave the house one last glance before looking away. The next time I would clap eyes on that house, I was going to be in a position to be able to burn it to the ground.

My name is Rayna Giancarlo and I'm the vengeful daughter, bitter niece and runaway fiance.