Chapter 7 You own us, bitch.

"Did you just call me a bitch? Look in the mirror and ask yourself who really fits that title-you or me?" I shot back, my voice laced with disgust as I wiped my stinging cheek.

Candice smirked, crossing her arms. "You know you owe me," she said, her voice dripping with mockery.

"Who is this... lowlife?" another woman beside her asked, eyeing me like I was something she scraped off her shoe.

I rolled my eyes. Birds of a feather do flock together.

"Remember the girl I told you about? The one who ruined my dress at the restaurant?" Candice sneered. "Well, here she is."

My fingers curled into fists at my sides. A small crowd had gathered, whispering and watching. It felt like déjà vu-another public humiliation, another moment where Candice played the victim while I was made to look like the villain.

"Accusing and harassing people must be your favorite pastime," I said, my voice steady despite the heat rising in my face. "I didn't ruin your dress and you know it. You knocked my hands away on purpose."

"And what if I did?" she taunted, tilting her head.

"So, you finally admit it," I scoffed, folding my arms.

Before I could react, something cold and wet splashed over me.

A collective gasp rippled through the store.

I sucked in a sharp breath as the liquid soaked through my clothes, dripping down my arms, my legs-everywhere. My heart pounded as I looked up in shock.

Her friend stood there, a now-empty bottle in her hand, a satisfied smirk on her lips.

"You-" My voice cracked as I shivered. "Why did you do that?"

"You just ruined my dress," I hissed.

"The same way you ruined hers," her friend said nonchalantly shrugging, grinning like a devil.

"You own us," she said, staring down at me in disgust. "And you're going to pay for the dress you ruined."

I clenched my fists. "I owe you nothing," I growled, fury burning in my chest.

"Oh?" Candice's friend stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "So, you're stubborn too?"

I swallowed hard, my pulse thundering in my ears. I had no idea what she would do next.

Before I could move, she grabbed my shopping cart and shoved it over.

Fruits and vegetables tumbled onto the floor, some rolling away, others smashing on impact.

A sharp pang hit me in the chest.

My stomach twisted as I dropped to my knees, scrambling to pick up what was left. Some of the vegetables were completely ruined, their juices pooling on the tiled floor.

Candice let out a cruel laugh. "That's exactly where you belong-beneath us."

Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I refused to let them see me break.

They strutted away, pushing their carts as if nothing had happened, their laughter ringing in my ears long after they disappeared down the aisle.

I stared at the mess before me, my hands trembling as I realized-I had no money to replace anything.

---

"You mean they did all that to you?" Emily whispered her voice a mix of shock and anger.

"Yes," I mumbled, nodding weakly. "Those spoiled rich girls humiliated me like I was nothing."

I sat slumped in the plastic chair in our tiny living room, my clothes still slightly damp from earlier. The apartment was small, barely furnished. The cracked walls, the old mattress in the corner, the single chair with a broken leg-this was my reality. And right now, I hate it more than ever.

"I lost everything I bought," I muttered, pulling off my shoes with a sigh. "I don't know how I would've handled it if you hadn't shown up. Thank you, Emily."

She offered me a sad smile, but something in her expression made my stomach tighten.

"Nelly..." she hesitated.

I turned my head toward her. "What?"

She bit her lip. "There's something I have to tell you."

My heartbeat picked up. "What is it?"

"It's about your grandma," she whispered. "The hospital called today."

I shot up, my exhaustion forgotten.

"What did they say?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with panic.

Emily hesitated, her lips trembling.

"Emily," I pressed, dread curling around my ribs. "Tell me."

She swallowed hard, looking anywhere but at me. "They said..."

I clenched the arms of the chair, bracing myself for the words that would shatter me.

"They said she's getting worse, Nelly."

My breath caught.

"The bills..." Emily's voice faltered. "They need the payment soon, or they might stop her treatment."

The world spun around me.

I gripped my head as a wave of helplessness crashed over me.

No. Not now.

Not when I had nothing.

Not when I had no way out.

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I forced them back. I had cried too much already.

There had to be a way.

There had to be something I could do.

And then-like a ghost haunting my thoughts-his voice echoed in my head.

"Marry me."

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Was this what it had come to?

Selling myself into a contract marriage just to save my grandmother?

I had sworn I wouldn't say yes. I had told myself I would find another way.

But now...

Did I even have a choice