Everyone may think that family is their warm harbor, but for me, home is my nightmare.

If it wasn't for the fact that I wasn't yet capable of living on my own, I would have never wanted the cold, dagger-like taunts to hit me.

-------------------------

I was utterly exhausted upon returning to the villa after a bustling day, which hopefully concluded with a date with my boyfriend, David.

I twisted the doorknob and entered the entrance hall to hear shouts of a quarrel.

My father was engaged in an argument with my stepmother, Melissa.

No surprise, I was definitely the subject of their arguments.

My stepmother always thought I was a burden to the family. She always set embarrassing situations for me.

She always told me the wrong time to eat, and then made me hungry by dumping all the leftovers in the garbage because the maids had to do the cleaning on time.

Once I was able to go out on a part-time job, she managed to squeeze every penny out of my hands that I earned.

I think this time is no different, maybe she's trying to squeeze every last penny out of me now.

I'm numb and I'm not about to get into an argument. My father will absolutely tell me what the final decision is, but this time it's more than I realize.

"No, Melissa! You have no right to force olive to marry Edward Johnson! Not her at all."

What? I'm going to be married to Edward Johnson?

I stopped in my tracks, this was not a fact I had learned before.

The facts before were that my stepsister, Elenore, was in love with the eldest son of the Johnson family, and that their wedding date had been set, but how was it now my turn to have to marry the Johnson family as well?

What happened?

"Michael Levine, you have no other option!"My stepmother Melissa continued to insist.

"You are going to get married!" Elenore suddenly walked in from outside., bleated and looked at me mockingly.

I felt that her words sent daggers down my spine. I stiffened for a while to assess the situation, to discover the genuine reason for this quarrel.

"Are you drunk? What is my business with the Johnson family?"

This family was the wealthiest and most influential family I'd ever known. Those types that Elenore preferred to join and be a hostess.

They were not my cup of tea!

I was never into a lavish lifestyle that I couldn't live freely. This cruel bitch sitting over there knew I was in love with someone and couldn't break his heart.

She giggled and pointed out to our parents, "They are fighting because of you!"

"Excuse me!"

"You should not be confused, but grateful. The Johnson family is more wealth than you could ever desire for a parasite like you, and you should be on your knees accepting to show your gratitude shouldn't you?" Elenore continued mockingly!

"That's ridiculous! I won't agree!" I glared at her and continued toward my tiny room!

"Did I not teach you to be grateful? Is this how you behave? With ignorance?"My stepmother's angry voice trips me up like a hammer.

I froze before putting my foot on the first step. My head averted, looking at her over my shoulder, a bitter smile stretched alongside my face.

She had successfully done it.

She taught me to be grateful. Let's correct it; she had taught me by beating and locking me in the dark barn in the garden when I was a little child. She always shielded me to bear the pain on behalf of Elenore, only to keep her daughter safe.

Could I be dead? She didn't care.

How was I supposed to forget what they did to me in this household? I needed to be an idiot to forget.

So, I planned to be an independent woman. That was why I worked my ass off to save money for the day I was up to leave, and if I didn't try it before, it was all because of my soft-hearted and kind father.

And not to make him heartbroken, I remained silent.

My eyes drifted to my father's side. He had lowered his head and squeezed his fists. I had never seen him this angry.

"Olive, my love, you can go to your room and study for your exams!"

My father mentioned it, and I was glad that he knew.

"Wait, why are you hiding it from her? Isn't she a part of this family? Doesn't she share a house with us?"

I turned around and stopped looking at them from the side profile. I faced Melissa upright, curious!

What did she mean exactly?

"Can you please explain what it is all to me? Because I don't think I have any business with the Johnson family?"

"Sure, you don't, darling!" My father noted.

"Your father's company is in crisis, and you must save it. You have been freeloading in the family for a long time. I cherished you as I did your sister as my daughter. Do you think that's not the right time to gratify and repay your father's hard work raising you?"

Really? I had been working part-time outside since high school and had never taken a single penny from my family, even though my father insisted I shouldn't work.

I believed I needed to be self-reliant! However, half of the reason was that I preferred to stay out of this house. And I did not want to be alone with Elenore and Melissa to endure suffering. It entertained them to bully me.

I knew I couldn't let my father be sad, so I kept quiet. He had enough already and argued with his wife. He was fighting for me.

But, when she uttered the last words, his palm striking Melissa's face made me wince. The sound was loud, and the slap made her face red instantly.

Elenore was amused until then but abruptly jolted up and rushed to her mother. Melissa placed her palm across her face.

Well, I couldn't deny that I wanted to do the same; not only did Melissa deserve that, but also Elenore itched for punishment.

"What did you find me? Am I a man who sells his daughter to save his company? I had many upside-downs in my life, and I could survive them. I will find a solution for this one excessively."

Pride and love filled my heart for having such a father. Once upon a time, I heard that girls who have good fathers go to heaven, and it was true.

My father was my Eden, the shoulders I could place my head and feel peace.

"How?"

Melissa Frenzied and shrieked. Her voice brought a dangerous silence to our house, and I felt the chill that skittered through my spine.

"So you're willing to let your own daughter marry that monster because of your pride? Edward?"

Melissa continued to rant at my father, and I finally learned the truth from their argument, that the person Edward wanted to marry was Elenore.

I don't know how Elenore's original plan to be married to Johnson was suddenly canceled, but all I know now is that my stepmother wants me to be a substitute bride to that monster!

There were rumors that Edward was a disfigured ugly beast after an incident. Edward lost his handsomeness and pure soul in a bonfire.

If that monster knew that I was a substitute bride, then I would be killed the night of my wedding.

I couldn't stop my teeth from chattering; my life was as light as paper in my stepmother's eyes, so she would surely convince my father to sacrifice me!

Michael Levine, my father, was speechless.

I knew his heart better than anyone.

He preferred to have Elenore marry into this family rather than me.

Additionally, he did not want to break Elenore's heart with harsh words. But I could read that his silence pricked Elenore because she quickly chimed in to calm herself down.

"Look, Olive!

Our family needs you. You should stop being selfish as fuck. If we don't provide our words with a virgin daughter, it will get our father killed by him. Are you such a heartless wench to let this happen? Can you stand still and watch his death?"