Sacrificed for His Sister's Whim

Emmeline was ushered into the private room as if she were just another package.

"Ha!" Skyla jibed, scrutinizing Emmeline. "Brother, so she truly is worth two million dollars."

"Skyla, behave and stop fooling around," William advised, pulling Emmeline in close, his thumb gently brushing across her reddened eyelids. "Emmeline, Skyla's just being playful, don't take it to heart."

"You were sent to the King family by your brother, so you must follow what the Kings say. Skyla's done nothing wrong herself, okay?"

Emmeline closed her tired eyes, then opened them and replied softly, "Understood."

The car ride back home was quiet. Nehemiah had taken Skyla ahead, leaving Emmeline to gaze blankly out the window as the landscape slipped past.

Suddenly, William broke the silence. "We're heading to the island in a month; the tickets are booked. Didn't you always want to go there?"

She was surprised; he rarely catered to her wishes, yet he was making an exception to take her on a trip.

"I know. You and your darling sister can go; I'm not interested anymore."

A trip to an island? She no longer desired it.

William looked at her icily, "Emmeline, what's your game now?"

"I'm not causing any trouble..."

"Enough," William cut her off, annoyed. "No need to take it out on Skyla. The tickets are set, and I'll be with you."

Silence descended again in the car.

Lost in thought, she remembered the early days of being sent to William's side, when he noted her distaste for parsley and redecorated her bedroom to suit her preferences, leading her to foolishly believe it was love. She thought he kept her around because he cared, albeit misguidedly.

Until that day outside the study when she overheard him chuckling on the phone, "She's simply a toy sent by the Gardner family. Keep her if she's compliant; discipline her if she makes trouble."

In that instant, the illusion shattered completely.

She and her brother were just disposable assets to the King siblings—called upon when needed and tossed aside when not. The so-called "love" was merely leverage to ensure their obedience.

The car rolled into the estate's driveway, and a chilling dread immediately gripped Emmeline.

Her heart tightened, but before she could react, a porcelain vase careened toward her.

Crash!

A sharp pain seared through her temple.

Warm blood trickled down her face, staining her Victorian-style dress with vivid red patches.

William frowned at her injury but focused on Skyla, who had rushed over, his voice tinged with indulgence and resignation. "Who's upset you now? What's wrong?"

Skyla stamped her foot and pointed at Emmeline.

"I just can't stand her! Isn't that allowed?"

"Alright," William indulged her, his eyes sliding over Emmeline standing frozen at the door, his brow furrowing more deeply. "Come inside; don't stand there causing a scene. Skyla's just having fun; don't take it personally."

Blood blurred her vision, and the daylight humiliation left her utterly drained.

Emmeline wanted nothing more than to retreat to her room and rest.

But soon after she lay down, her bedroom door burst open violently!

The servants rounded up by Skyla grabbed her arms.

"Drag her to the bathroom and clean her up! Always looking frail makes it seem like we're neglecting her," Skyla's words were sharp as daggers.

Cold, dirty water poured over her, the pain from her wound burning intensely.

Pinned to the ground, Emmeline's fingertips dug into her palms as the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.

The maid, fed up with her, kicked her in the side and dragged her by the hair to the living room.

Emmeline was drenched, covered in grime.

She looked at William lounging on the couch, disbelief written on her face.

William glanced dispassionately at Emmeline, then asked Skyla gently, "Feeling better now? Don’t cause trouble outside again."

Skyla snorted in frustration. "Get her out of here, lock her up so I don't have to see her!"

The bodyguard seized Emmeline to drag her away as darkness closed in around her vision.

In her daze, she heard William's voice, light and airy, "Just make sure she doesn't die."