SUNLIGHT WARMS the back of my eyelids, and for a moment, I have forgotten where I am. I placed my hand right between my thighs, still sore, still remembering the way Kade took me a few nights ago. But I knew he wouldn't keep that up, knew we had a limited time.

For a brief moment I had the dreadful thought of what my life would be when we broke apart. Admittedly, I didn't think. This man who had wormed his way into my life so effortlessly and taken me over so completely. It was obvious I was going to give him whatever he wanted, consequences be damned. But he'd always been honest. For the last three months since we'd started he told me I was the only one he'd been with. I don't know if he's lying. But it doesn't make me feel any less guilty about the situation.

The sound of someone knocking on my door had me leaving the bathroom. Just as I walked out, I saw the bedroom door opening. One of our housekeeper, Emily stood on the other side, her focus on me, her face blank.

"Breakfast is ready, Ms. Ayla,"

I nodded. She turned and left, leaving the door open. Grabbing my backpack from my desk, my muscles lock as I make my way down the marble, sweeping stairs. I've been living here for my entire eighteen years, but it still doesn't feel like home.

Itʼs a tower and Iʼm trapped.

Three weeks and I'm out of here.

With that splash of hope, I take a deep breath and cross the grandiose lounge area with gold-rimmed divans and high platform ceilings. I see Cameron, Emily's daughter, dusting a chest of drawers. She gives me a shy smile and bows but doesn't address me. I keep walking until I reach the enormous dining room where a massive table that could easily fit twenty people. My father, Dorian Van Horen, is sitting at one end of the table. My mother, Cornelia, flanks him on one side, the empty seat on her other side meant for me. I walk toward it, pulling out the chair and sitting down while my 'family' regards me with bored expression.

"Morning."

Nobody acknowledges what I've said. My sister, Arabella, glances at me with disinterest before returning to her meal, and my mother doesn't even lift her gaze from her plate. A few of the kitchen staff stand in waiting and I suppress a snort. I smile at Selma, the head cook. She was both my mother and my father rolled into one. I admired her for raising me on her own and being everything I needed. At least I have a friendly face around. It also helps that she makes me the most delicious mango smoothies and cheesecake.

Not meeting their gazes, my mother start a conversation about some event and I tuned them out and start gulping down the pancakes and the omelette. I scarcely taste anything. The sooner I'm done with breakfast, the faster I'm out of here.

The doorbell rings and I frown, wondering who might be the visitor this early. Footsteps echoed against the marbled tiles then, and Kade walked in. I sat up straight, my heart slamming against my chest. It'd been two days since I last saw him. I'd had no word from him since.

He looked good. I tried not to notice, but I did.

My eyes ran over him, taking in the way his shirt fit his chest, showing the leanness of his stomach and falling in just the right place over his pants.

Gorgeous from all angles.

Kade Sinclair was a drink of a man.

He stood just inside the dining room and I could smell the unique scent that seemed to belong to him alone. I closed my eyes, taking an involuntary deep breath, sparking the familiar desire that melted me and devastated me at the same time.

"Kade!" My sister practically leaps from her chair and run towards him.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and hugs her against him and I think some part of me died a little. He didn't look at me, just kept his head straight ahead while I sat there fighting not to fidget. I could still feel the soreness inside me but we might as well have been strangers for all the notice he gave me.

"Son, we didn't know you'd be coming today. I thought you're going to Miami?" My father asks.

"Please sit and eat with us. I hope you haven't had your breakfast yet." my mother says.

"I have. Thank you. I want to see Arabella before I go to the airport." he turn to her. "Are you sure you're okay now? You told me you're not feeling well last night."

Pain stabbed at my heart, and sucker punched me in the gut. My eyes zoom into my sister who has her arm wrapped around Kade's like some kind of sexy python. With her perfect white teeth gleaming, jet black hair cut into a Victoria Beckham bob, and her sultry, sparkling blue eyes, they might as well have just stepped out of the pages of a Vogue magazine.

Why did I put myself in this situation again?

"I'm okay now." she giggled then rises on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

"You're very thoughtful. I can tell now you're going to spoil her." my father commented, his eyes gleaming with approval.

"Should I tell them about our plans?" She looks up at him and smile. "Kade and I are flying to Mykonos after the wedding." My sister announces happily.

"That's amazing! How long will you be there?" My mother gushes in excitement.

"Three weeks, Mom."

"Fine with me. But please don't make your mother and I grandparents before retirement," Dad chuckled.

"Daddy!"

I dropped my eyes to my plate, unwilling to watch the excitement in her face further. I ground my teeth, trying to ignore the heavy weight sitting on my chest. It's spreading like fire through my veins. The thought of them together had every muscle in my body tightening, rejecting the idea.

Jealousy. I was jealous. Sadly, I had no right.

I tuned them out and sat there silently, loathing myself while trying to blink back the tears that well up in my eyes. After a few minutes, I heard him excuse himself to take a call.

"Kade is perfect." my sister says, her eyes gleaming.

"He is. And the fact that he's a Sinclair makes me even more proud of you daughter." Our mother tells her.

"Has he talk to you about signing a prenup?" my father asks quietly.

Arabella shakes her head and smile confidently. "No Daddy and I don't think he will. He loves me."

"Good." He hums in approval.

"Gosh, did you know they owned one of the only two Eclipse yacht ever made in the world?" my mother whisper frantically.

My sister looks behind her as if to make sure Kade hasn't returned yet, then whisper, "Just wait, Mom. Soon all his properties will be under my name as well. You can use that yacht for your birthday next year." My mother barely contain her squeal of excitement.

I feel like I'm going to throw up. I began to stand from my chair when my father speak suddenly.

"Ayla, I heard about your plans."

I stiffen in my seat, knowing full well where this conversation is heading.

"I'll have my secretary call the university later to cancel your scholarship." his words is like a knife to my heart.

My fork clinks against the plate as I lift my head to meet his punishing eyes. "You can't do that." I clench my teeth.

"We told you it's a waste of money. You can work at the company," my mother suggests in an awfully cheerful mode. "Arabella already had her training about marketing, you can be her assistant."

My father nodded. "I agreed. You can learn a lot from your sister. It'll be good for you."

"And I told you I have a full scholarship and I will pay for my own school fees. I won't even ask for a cent." My eyes burn with unshed tears, and I can't accept it.

I hadn't told them yet and not that I plan to, but a few weeks ago, I received an advance payment for the book I wrote last year. By some miracle, I landed a literary agent, who got me a two-book deal with a major publisher. The money isn't a huge amount, but it meant I could afford to make a downpayment for a studio apartment near the campus. As soon as the school ends, I'll packed my things up and move away. In fact, next week, I will start job hunting so when I get there, I'm all settled.

I knew if I had a scholarship to go to an Ivy League school, nothing could keep me in Ravenwood. They will get rid of me just like they wanted from the very beginning and I could go on with my life.

"Nonsense." My mother wave her hand in dismissal. "You don't need to go to college."

"Right. I can use some help. University life doesn't suit you anyway." My sister, may God bless her soul, said, covering her mirth with her manicured nails that hadn't seen a day of work.

"Since she'll be on vacation after the wedding, you can start then." My father said in finality.

I felt like crumbling. My cheeks are hot, and my hands locked into fists. Looking at them now, I am instantly reminded of the truth. My parents never wanted me, Arabella was supposed to be it for them. I was a surprise, an unwanted one no less, and unfortunately they had no problem letting me know that from a very young age. They both just expected me to be grateful for even the basic necessities of life such as food and a roof over my head. I'd adapted though, accepted my place in their lives for what it was, but they were the only family I had. I wasn't physically abused, but I know for a fact that I'm not even in the top ten when it comes to their priorities.

As a small child it was hard to understand, but eventually you catch on and you step aside, stay in the background. All their love had already gone to their golden child there was none left for me, but like I said, I adapted. Then Kade came along, and I think it was the first time since I was a child that I wanted something Arabella had. This man with his dark golden locks, velvity lips and piercing green eyes, he's like a god, my own Hades, and I am his Persephone even if it means I'll be dragged to the depths of hell with the sins we'd been doing.

"And I'm expecting you to give Derek a call this evening. Don't embarrass me." My father continues.

"He's a creep." I gritted. God he is. The guy with a copper brown hair and leering gaze creeps me out. He's a son of some businessman who move in town a few years ago and I only met him a handful of times through events that require 'family appearances'. At first, he seems friendly enough but there is something about him that alarms me. The way he smiles. His messages recently. It made my skin crawls.

"You should be thankful he's interested in you." Arabella remarks.

"If you weren't so stubborn to refuse to focus on better opportunities that we offer, maybe you would have a more promising future." The edge of disapproval in my mother's voice is like venom. "Why can't you be like Arabella?"

"Why didn't you abort me when you had the chance and spare us all the misery?" I didn't mean to say that out loud, but it came out, anyway.

The clinks and clanks of utensils stop as silence stakes claim in the dining area. Even the kitchen staff stop mid-stride. My ears heat with both shame and anger.

I snatch my backpack and jump out of my seat before they can burn me some more. Behind me, my mother's voice floats over, "Oh believe me I tried."

I wipe a tear from my eye as I make my way out.

Three weeks.