Maybe my parents are conceited enough that they believe they’re reach is infallible, that there’s no way anyone would go against their will. At St Augustus that might be true, all the staff seems to be under their thumb, or on their payroll. If I could have just gotten one D this would all be over by now, I wouldn’t have had to resort to desperate measures, to begging a boy who despises me to have sex with me.
A shudder runs across my skin as my memory teases me with thoughts of Carson and all the things we did. I’m not repulsed, I’m wanton, turned on by the way I can still feel his touch, feel the soreness between my thighs from his body.
My eyes fall to the video camera in my purse, if I were to turn it on I could see it, relive every touch, every moan, every orgasm. Shutting my eyes I bite my lip hard, using the pain to banish all thoughts of Carson away. It was just an act, just sex, nothing more than the mechanics of intimacy between two people, I can’t forget that.
When the cab slows to a stop outside the brownstone that holds the offices of Hallsworth, Hallsworth and Kingston attorneys at Law, I suck in a low shaky breath. I haven’t been here since the will was read, but I can still remember that day so clearly.
Tapping my credit card against the card reader I pay the cab driver and climb out, pausing for a minute on the sidewalk, needing to compose myself before I go inside and change my future entirely.
I haven’t called ahead, but I know they’ll see me, I just hope they don’t contact my parents the moment I walk through the door. With my resolve hardened I climb the steps and press the buzzer.
“Hallsworth, Hallsworth and Kingston,” a voice says through the speaker.
“Carrigan Archibald to see Mr. Worth please.”
There’s a pause, then the speaker crackles a second before there’s a click and the door lock disengages. Wrapping my fingers around the cool brass handle, I push the door open and step into the dark-wood paneled hall, following the same route I took almost four years ago.
The last time I was here I didn’t realize how monumental my visit would be, but this time I’m completely aware that the outcome of today’s meeting will change the trajectory of my future entirely. I’m scared, but determined, and that’s what pushes me forward and into the small waiting room that houses an antique desk, with a stern-faced man in round horn-rimmed glasses sitting behind it.
“Miss Archibald, do you have an appointment?” he asks brusquely.
“I don’t, but I’m confident Mr. Worth will make time to talk with me once you let him know that I’m here,” I say succinctly, using the tone of voice my etiquette coach spent years forcing me to perfect. It’s the tone that says I’m better than you, richer than you, and more powerful than you. It’s the tone that gets a person whatever they want in life. It’s the tone my mother always uses, the tone she taught me to use, the tone I’ve never heard coming from my sister’s mouth, and the tone that will make sure this man doesn’t refuse me.
Just like I knew he would, the man lifts the phone on his desk to his ear, presses a button, and then speaks quietly into the receiver. A moment later he lowers the phone back into the cradle and stands. “Let me show you to Mr. Worth’s office.”
“Thank you,” I say politely, and follow as he leads me out of the reception area and toward the offices.
The lawyer’s office is identical to how I remember it and a horrible sense of de-ja-vu hits me. Nerves make me want to shake, but I refuse to let them. This is the right thing to do. The only thing to do, and for the first time in my life I need to grow a pair of balls and stop being such a coward.
It would be easier to just do as my parents want, to marry Rupert and become a billionaire. But since my sister’s happiness gave me that glimmer of hope, that seed of possibility, I haven’t been able to mindlessly follow orders, to do what my parents say just because they say it.
The moment Dad’s fist struck my beautiful, harmless twin, the rose-tinted veil I’ve been wearing over my eyes for the past four years lifted and I saw myself and my parents for what we truly are. Evil, heartless, power crazed monsters.
“Miss Archibald, it’s a pleasure to see you,” Mr. Worth says, stepping out from behind his desk the moment I enter the room.
“Hello Mr. Worth, I appreciate you making time to see me,” I answer politely, shaking his hand when he offers it.
“Well if you don’t mind me saying, you have grown into an absolute vision of beauty, I’m sure your great-grandfather would be immensely proud of you,” Mr. Worth gushes.
I smile noncommittally as I think that given how I spent my morning, I’m confident my great-grandfather is turning in his grave in horror.
“Please take a seat, can I get you a drink, coffee, tea, soda?” he offers, circling back behind his desk and lowering himself into his huge leather library chair.
“I’m fine thank you. I’d rather just get straight to business if that’s okay?”
His laugh is condescending and indulgent, like I’m an amusing child, and I have to clench my teeth together to stop myself from calling him on his obnoxious behavior.
“Of course, will your parents be joining us?” he asks, his gaze moving to the door as if he expects my parents to enter.
“No, my parents will not be joining us, I’m eighteen now and what I came
