Chapter 5 

But my father was dead. 

Eaten by wolves on the very first day he’d been abandoned in the wilderness. 

Harlynn had not only fabricated the assault, she’d followed me all the way to London. 

I was speechless, ready to call the cops. 

“Shut up!” Gralin yelled, knocking my phone out of my hand. “Stop protecting your father! 

He’s a monster!” 

I looked at him, defeated. “My father is dead, Gralin. You killed him.” 

“Don’t play games! Harlynn is suffering because of your father!” He grabbed Harlynn’s hand, showing me the scars on her wrists. 

I scoffed. “You even cut yourself to make it more convincing? You’re pathetic.” 

“I’m not acting!” Harlynn cried, her eyes red and swollen. “Your father tortured me! I don’t 

even want to live anymore!” 

Gralin comforted her, then turned to me, his voice a growl. “You and your father running away proves you’re guilty! You’re afraid of getting caught!” 

Harlynn, nestled in his arms, smirked at me. 

You’re finished, Isata. You can’t win. 

Gralin pulled me closer. “Tell me where he is, Isata. Or you’ll regret it.” 

I pushed him away, and my pocket watch fell out of my pocket. 

Harlynn picked it up, her face twisting with disgust. “Your father’s things make me sick!” 

“Give it back!” I cried, reaching for it. 

Gralin held me back. 

14:25 

Fake Wedding, True Pain 

54.9% 

Chapter & 

Harlyn stomped on the watch, crushing it beneath her heed, 

I sank to the floor, my heart breaking. 

It was my father’s watch, his only remaining possession. 

Gralin, eager to please his mistress, called over a large man. “Make her feel Harlynn’s pain until she tells us where her father is.” He pulled out his phone to record it. 

man grabbed me, and as he started to pull up my shirt, I burst into tears. “Stop it, Gralin! You’re a monster!” 

Gralin hesitated. “Wait. He’s still not here?” He shouted, “Everyone get out! Now! Or your daughter’s reputation will be ruined!” 

I trembled, fear coursing through me. 

What had he become? 

He looked at Harlynn, then nodded at the man. 

I watched in horror as my clothes were ripped away, my body exposed. He was too strong. I couldn’t fight him off. 

Suddenly, Gralin’s phone rang. He answered it casually. 

“Sir, Isata’s father is dead. He was killed in the mountains. His body is gone. The villagers said he was… eaten by wolves.”