I Switched Fiancés After His Betrayal with My Stepsister Novel Chapter 2 – The engagement party ended abruptly, and the driver arrived to take us home. Inside the car, the silence was oppressive, with no one daring to break it. My father, Clay, sat with his fists clenched tightly, veins standing out on his arms.
I limped out of the car on my numb right leg. As soon as I stepped out, my father grabbed me, roughly dragging me into the house. Bria and Neriah followed behind, their faces twisted into malicious smiles.
My father yanked me towards the mantelpiece that displayed a photo of my mother, Raya. My knees hit the ground, scraping them and leaving a trail of blood. He bellowed in anger, his face flushed with fury.
“Kneel here and apologize to your mother.”
He pulled my hair, forcing my head up.
“Look at what you’ve done. The whole of New York is mocking us now. You’ve brought shame to the Myers name—walking away from a perfectly suitable fiancé to marry a blind man.”
“Your mother raised you to be polite and reasonable. Is this what you think she’d be proud of?”
His words still hung in the air as he kicked me in the back, his boot pressing painfully into me. I forced myself to turn, locking eyes with him defiantly.
“I didn’t do anything wrong. I just want to follow what I believe is right.”
My response only stoked his rage further, prompting him to call for the butler to bring a strap—a tool reserved for me since my mother’s passing.
Each lash cut into my back, tearing the skin, the blood soaking into my shirt. But I bit my lip hard, determined not to make a sound.
“You’ve learned to talk back now? Did you even think about the consequences of your actions?”
“You’re grown up; do I still need to teach you everything?”
Neriah feigned concern, bringing a coffee to my father’s side.
“Dad, don’t be upset. Maybe Adaline was confused when she made this choice.”
Clay took the coffee and downed it in one gulp, glaring at me furiously.
“If you were half as sensible as your sister, I wouldn’t be this ashamed today. Learn from her how to be a decent person.”
He sighed heavily, exhaustion overtaking his anger as he slumped onto the couch. Bria and Neriah hurried to his side, offering water and shoulder massages.
“At least we didn’t have to return the million-dollar engagement gift. I just used it to patch a financial hole. Returning it would have wrecked the company.”
“If only she had agreed to give up some of her mother’s shares, I wouldn’t have to work so hard.”
Bria seized the moment, adding,
“Clay, calm down. Adaline must have her reasons for not giving them up. It’s just unfortunate Neriah doesn’t have any shares. If she did, she’d definitely hand them over to help you.”
Neriah nodded enthusiastically beside her.
Clay rolled up his sleeves, seemingly lost in thought. After a lengthy pause, he announced,
“From now on, the company will be managed by Neriah. Since she’s so capable, she won’t get a single share in the future.”
I sat on the floor, my heart aching.
Am I not your daughter too? Why are you so harsh with me, Father?