Chapter 3 Chains of Betrayal

Nicole's Point of View

The next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache and a sore throat. My joints ached, and confusion blurred my vision. Then, the memories of last night came rushing back-the way Sylvester had taken me, the passion between us still fresh in my mind. As I struggled to get out of bed, my eyes landed on a white envelope tied with a red ribbon. Curious, I picked it up and read it aloud:

Nicole,

I may have met you just yesterday,

But,

What we shared yesterday was beyond passionate.

I hope you wake up with the biggest smile on your face after your sweet dreams.

I did not want to wake you up, which is why I left.

Miss you, and just so you know, I will never,

Ever leave you for anything in this world.

With love,

Sylvester.

A huge smile spread across my face. How could a man I had only met yesterday make me feel what my family, whom I had known all my life, never had? I dropped the letter and stood up, but a sharp pain from last night's experience shot through my hips, making me stagger toward the bathroom.

As the water cascaded down my body, I couldn't help but think about Sylvester-his touch, his deep moans, the way he held me. His grip had been both strong and tender, and I craved it again. When I stepped out of the shower, a loud knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Quickly adjusting my towel, I walked to the door and opened it.

An elderly man stood there, dressed in a white shirt, blue pants, and a hat. "Good morning, madam. Boss asked me to drop you off at your house."

"I will be with you shortly," I replied gently.

He nodded and left. I turned back inside and got dressed. As I opened the wardrobe, a red gown caught my eye. What was a red gown doing in Sylvester's wardrobe? Without thinking much about it, I slipped it on and packed my previous clothes into a plastic bag. One glance at myself in the mirror, and I was ready to go.

The moment I got into the car, reality hit me again. How could a father sell his daughter like a pawn, like a useless slave, just for money? No integrity whatsoever. I had come to believe my father was not just a fool-but a very stupid one for dictating my life.

The car came to a stop at exactly eight-fifteen. Standing on the veranda were my father, mother, and brothers, looking more stunned than ever. As I stepped out, the driver sped off, leaving me to face the four of them.

"And where do you think you are going, young lady?" my mother asked sarcastically.

"That car that dropped you off belongs to whom?" my father added.

I swept my eyes over them, irritation clear on my face. "Why do you care? It's none of your business."

My father's eyes widened, and my mother's mouth fell open in shock.

My eldest brother, Alfred, stepped forward angrily. "Since when did you have the guts to talk to Dad and Mom that way? Have you no regard, Nicole? Or has something gotten into that stupid head of yours?"

Fury boiled in me. "Since when did my movements become a problem in this house? Please, you all should let me-"

Alfred cut me off before I could finish.

"May maggots feast on that flirty mouth of yours! Are you insane? Are you aware that you are standing before Mom, Dad, Anthony, and me?" he yelled, sweat dripping from his forehead and soaking his singlet.

I had had enough. For too long, I had tolerated their nonsense. It was time to speak my mind.

In a loud voice, I screamed, "What do you know about anything, Alfred? And you, Anthony-what do you know besides wasting your life, screwing every girl in the neighborhood, and being a complete nuisance? The both of you sit around while I-a woman-work tirelessly, and you feed off my hard-earned money. And now you think you have the right to comment on my life? Oh, please! Shut the fuck up and get out of my sight. I need some rest."

Anthony wasn't having it. His anger was palpable, and as he raised his hand to slap me, my mother quickly stepped in and stopped him.

"Go on, hit me! That's all you're good at-hitting women. I pity the woman who will bear your children. Rubbish!" I spat with a smirk.

"Mom, Dad, can you hear what Nicole is saying?" Alfred turned to our parents, disbelief in his voice.

My mother tried to calm the situation. "Have some regard, Nicole. Don't let-"

"Oh, please, Mom! You should be saying that to Dad. After all, he sold me off like a pawn," I muttered arrogantly, cutting her off.

The shock on their faces filled me with satisfaction. This was the first time I was standing up for myself. Even though I knew I was being arrogant, I didn't care-I was finally speaking my truth.

"If you all don't mind, excuse me," I said, brushing past them.

I stormed into my room and slammed the door shut. The moment I hit the bed, the tears came. What pained me the most wasn't just that my life was being taken away from me, but that I could no longer chase my dreams, my ambitions. And worse, I was supposed to marry a total stranger.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the pain away.

A loud bang on my bedroom door startled me awake. It was my mother. She stood there in a beautiful gown, her face glowing with an unsettling smile.

"He is here already, Nicole. Pack your things," she said, her hands clasped behind her back.

A big yawn escaped my lips. I was still groggy, and her words barely made sense to me.

"I mean, your husband-to-be is here to pick you up. His entourage is waiting outside," she clarified, her voice firm.

Sleep vanished from my eyes in an instant. My stomach churned, and nausea hit me like a wave.

"What? I don't understand, Mom. Why so soon?" I asked, my voice laced with confusion and anger.

"I have no answers to your questions. Pack your things and get dressed," she ordered before walking out of the room.

Tears streamed down my face, fast and unrelenting, like the spring rain. My life was about to change forever, and there was absolutely nothing I could do to stop it.