He Destroyed Me for His Step-Sister, So I Married Into Old Money

All I remembered was the wind on the road, biting cold.

So cold it felt like needles drilling into bone.

The next day, I still decided to go to set and finish my last scene.

The scene called for Marina to shove me underwater.

The moment the slate clapped, she didn't give me a second to prepare. Both hands clamped the back of my skull and forced me under.

My strength drained away, little by little, until the director finally yelled cut.

I knelt on the ground, gasping, and forced my eyes open.

In the distance, Marina ran up to Abraham, buzzing with excitement. She hooked her arm through his wrist like a child showing off a trophy.

"Abe, swapping the warm water for ice water was perfect. Watching her suffer put me in such a better mood."

Before today, Marina had always tormented me behind closed doors. No wonder she could be so brazen now.

Abraham was here.

I smiled bitterly, then heard her continue.

"But it's still not enough."

"Abe, what do you think... what other ways could we make her suffer?"

Abraham answered without looking up, his tone indifferent.

"Add a love scene for her."

Before I could refuse, several crew members grabbed me and dragged me onto the bed. The man pinning me down pulled off my clothes, his hands roaming across my skin.

In that moment, every pair of eyes in the room was on me.

I heard the whispers rippling around me.

My dignity was ground beneath their feet, crushed bit by bit.

And all of it happened with Abraham's permission.

Before Marina came back to the country, he had treated me like a princess. He wouldn't let a single thing hurt me.

After Marina came back, he could stand there and watch me be humiliated in front of everyone.

My heart went completely cold.

I struggled to my feet and wrapped my coat around my body.

"How much is the penalty?"

Seeing me fight back, Marina couldn't help but laugh.

"You're an orphan. Where do you get the nerve to even ask that?"

Abraham looked equally baffled.

"It's just a love scene. Nobody actually did anything to you. Is it really that serious?"

"Let Marina blow off some steam, and I'll make sure you get the best roles from now on."

I gripped the hem of my coat, forcing the anguish down.

"A hundred million? Two hundred million? I can afford either."

I pulled out my black card, eyes filled with resolve.

Neither of them seemed to have expected that.

Abraham's expression darkened instantly.

Marina, on the other hand, wore her usual sneer.

"Beryl, do you really think playing hard to get is going to make Abe care about you?"

"Besides, someone of your background owning a black card? What, did you find yourself another sugar daddy?"

Abraham let out a cold laugh.

"You really will stoop to anything for money and power."

"I'd love to see what kind of man you end up with once I'm out of the picture."

I shot back without flinching.

"That's none of your concern."

When he saw me actually swipe the card and pay the full penalty, Abraham closed the distance in a few strides and seized my wrist.

"Think carefully. If you walk out today, I will never give you another role. Ever."

His grip sent pain shooting up my arm. I wrenched free.

Abraham's smile turned even colder.

"I'm just worried that after dropping a hundred million, you won't be able to afford your next meal."

"Mr. Simmons doesn't need to worry about me."

I answered calmly, turned around, and walked out without looking back.

This time, he didn't follow.

The moment I stepped off set, I called my father.

"Dad, come pick me up."

When I got home, I didn't hesitate. I packed every piece of clothing into my suitcase.

My gaze drifted to the safe beside the closet.

My heart skipped half a beat.

Inside were all the gifts Abraham had given me over the years.