Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“I know,” Max says, swiping the excess wine from his lips with the back of his finger. Guess he’s finally ready to spill some truths. “But we’re not together anymore.”
“And what was her role?” I ask, genuinely wanting to know for God knows what reason. There is no shock in learning that people have betrayed me. I’ve been hit in the same spot too many times and now I don’t feel pain.
Max shakes his head, bringing his hand to the back of my neck. I still at our connection. “Oh now, that is a story that will take years to explain. Isn’t that right, Bryant?” When Bryant glares at Max, his nostrils flaring, Max continues. “In her defense, she was a mere pawn in a game that you were the main component in.”
Bryant’s hand comes back to my inner thigh and I instantly reach for it beneath the table. Grabbing onto one of his fingers, I twist it backward as hard as I can. He coughs into his drink and pulls away from me. I’m not done with him, and I don’t trust him right now or his intentions with this setup. For too long, I’ve been an object in my father’s games to win voters, money, power, fucking pharmaceuticals.
I’ve reached my breaking point.
Inhale. Exhale.
I count to ten.
Stretching a wide smile that spreads over my straight teeth, I flash my eyes at Lydia. “I’m glad I’m back too, Lydia. It’s good to see you’re perfectly happy.”
Lydia seems to falter before sipping from her glass. I don’t know exactly how much she knows, nor do I care right now.
“Baby…” Bryant warns from beside me, his whisper still hot on my ear. “Don’t go jumping to conclusions.”
I sidle into Max, pulling away from Bryant. Not sure why, the man has just admitted to being a damn fraud. Turning over my shoulder to look at Bryant, he’s glaring at me with raised eyebrows. “Really?” Oh yeah, that’s why. Because I want to be petty. For a few more minutes.
Before I can hound my father for answers that I’m sure I will never get, the lights drop low and the MC walks across the stage. I sink into my chair, reaching for the bottle of champagne in the middle of the table and pouring. His balls are the same every year. A few bands play, some famous Hollywood singer will come on, people spend money on shit they don’t need with money they have too much of, and then everyone gets drunk.
“This has nothing to do with me.” Bryant’s arm is hooked around my chair and he pulls me closer beside him and farther away from Max.
I bring my glass to my lips, not listening to a word that’s being spoken. “I don’t trust you.”
“I know.” Bryant’s hand comes to my inner thigh and I freeze. He moves higher and higher up until my dress is lifted from the ground and the palm of his hand is coating my skin. “I need you to go with it tonight.”
As everyone starts clapping, the MC turns to face the screen that’s playing in the background. “We have compiled a video of all that the Johnson and Taylor families have done over the years to help poverty-stricken families throughout the state of New York. The crime rates in those areas have dropped immensely. Ladies and gentlemen.” She gestures up to the screen.
The first thing I hear is my voice.
Memories aren’t reliable. Unless they’ve been recorded.
- Isa
Bryant collects his glass from the table, but all I can focus on is the screen and what’s playing.
“No! No. Someone has to help me, please. He’s trying to kill me. Daddy!”
My hand flies to my mouth to stop my gasp from spilling out.
I push back from my chair, but Bryant’s fingers sprawl out over my thigh. “Baby, I’m going to need you to watch this.”
My eyes fly back to the screen, like a delusional moth to a flame, I need to get closer to what I know could very well destroy me.
I’m strapped in a straitjacket, my hair matted to my face from sweat. That’s when it comes back to me…
“Dad, please. I don’t want to be here.”
My father turned his back on me, as if I meant nothing, which was exactly what I meant to him—nothing. He cleared his throat and began talking to one of the doctors beside him. “Max, I need you to up her sedative. If we continue to push through the trials, this will change everything. It would be enough to cure the fallen medical economy and will have my name all over it.”
Max turned his head over his shoulder. “She seems young, are you sure you want to do that?”
“She’s not. She’s old enough and has caused enough chaos in my life to send me to an early grave. As your president, I order you to do this.”