Chapter 2

2.

Quinn walked over and wrapped her arms around me. She used that sweet, manipulative tone of hers.

"Honey, I'm really hungry."

My body went stiff for a second, but my heart betrayed me.

Maybe I was just too used to obeying her after all these years. I pushed her hands away and walked to the kitchen.

As I passed the living room, I saw Caspian curled up on the sofa, playing games on his phone.

The blue light flickered on his face. He looked so young and focused.

"Babe, I lost again. Send me some more credits?" he whined.

As soon as Quinn walked out, Caspian dropped his phone and wrapped his arms around her neck.

Quinn laughed, kissed his face, and promised him whatever he wanted.

Caspian looked seventy percent like I did when I was younger.

The same lean build, the same eyes. Even his whining sounded like I used to.

It seemed every one of Quinn's "boy toys" carried a shadow of my younger self.

I had transferred to Quinn's high school senior year.

I was quiet and timid, so the local bullies picked on me constantly.

She couldn't stand it and chased them off for me.

Then she made her demand. "You're pretty. I like pretty things. Be my boyfriend."

For the first time, my teenage heart felt protected. It was the first time I felt that spark.

That spark lasted through college until my family's business hit rock bottom.

Back then, Quinn was the one who insisted on marrying me so her family would help mine.

My family gained everything from that marriage.

That's why I endured it when she started sleeping around.

I had no leverage. I had no choice.