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Chapter!
Tears streamed down my face.
But it was alright. After tomorrow, I would be free.
19:17
The next day, John sent me a text.
“If you want my signature, come to the Hilton. Suite 708. I’ve had the staff prepare an outfit for you.”
It was a modern cheongsam, tailored to accentuate my slender waist and shoulders.
I pushed open the door to the suite and was met by a wall of noise and a crowd of leering faces.
Lily’s smile was particularly blinding.
“Oh, Nora. Mr. Parkinson wanted to see someone dance, but I sprained my ankle. I’ll have to trouble you.”
A man’s eyes devoured me, as if he wanted to swallow me whole.
So this was John’s plan. To have me dance in Lily’s place.
“Nora, you want a divorce, don’t you?” John’s voice was a low whisper in my ear. “Fine. I’ll grant your wish. As soon as you’ve danced to his satisfaction, I’ll sign the papers.”
He then pushed me toward Mr. Parkinson.
Mr. Parkinson’s arm wrapped around my waist, his eyes glazed with desire.
They say a dancer’s waist is a thing of beauty, and today I see it’s true. Don’t worry, I promised John. I’ll just get a little feel, I won’t do anything to you. You just dance for me tonight until I’m happy, and I’ll agree to con
tract with Sterling Corp for the next six months.”
I stared at John in disbelief.
Everyone in their circle knew about Mr. Parkinson’s… obsession. He couldn’t control himself around a wom an with a slender waist. A client had once gifted him such a woman; she’d ended up in the hospital with a
broken back.
I tore myself from Mr. Parkinson’s grasp and tried to run, but John caught me before I could get far.
“Nora, don’t be so dramatic. It’s just a touch. It’s not like you’ll lose a piece of flesh. This is your bargaining chip.”
So, this was the price of my freedom.
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13.17
13:17
Chapter 2
Chapter
The moment the door to the suite clicked shut, despair washed over me.
The air was thick with the scent of an aphrodisiac, making my skin flush and my head swim. A hand gripped
my waist from behind.
grabbed a wine bottle from the table and swung it at the man’s head, but he caught my wrist, twisting it The bottle connected with my own forehead. I stumbled to the ground, the collar of my dress tearing.
thought about biting my tongue, ending it all. But then I saw them-the faces of my parents, my sister.
Nora, we’re so sorry we couldn’t watch you grow up.”
Little sister, you have to live.”
t was like a light in the darkness. I opened my mouth and sank my teeth into Mr. Parkinson’s hand.
He howled in pain.
n that moment of distraction, I scrambled to the door and ran.
fled down the corridor, past another suite where the door was slightly ajar.
nside, John had Lily pinned against the wall, kissing her ferociously.
Darling,” Lily murmured between kisses, “shouldn’t we go check on Nora? I’m a little worried about her…”
What’s there to worry about? I told Parkinson he couldn’t touch her. Besides, I wanted to use this as a chan
e to punish her. She’s been so disobedient lately.”
was about to burst in when Mr. Parkinson’s bodyguards found me. They dragged me back.
My heart turned to ash. I gave up. I ran headfirst into the wall.
is I lost consciousness, I thought I saw my parents and my sister again, smiling at me.
Mom, Dad, Sis… I think I’m going to have to break my promise. I’m coming to find you.
in hour later, John opened the door to suite 708, expecting to find me broken and apologetic.
le stopped dead.
wasn’t there.
The floor was littered with shattered glass and stained with blood.
The cleaning staff were whispering.
That poor girl… Mr. Parkinson tore her dress to shreds. She couldn’t bear the humiliation… she killed herself. Ran right into the wall…”
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Chapter 2
