Chapter 2 Married?

• I crossed my arms casually. “How did you get your money?”
• Bernard’s siblings gasped. Diane looked at me fearfully for the first time. My smirked only widened.
• Diane walked to Bernard, holding his arm. “Let’s go son.”
• Father rushed forward and pushed me aside. “Please don’t go, I’ll make her apologize.” He pleads, kneeling at once with his head bowed.
• Bernard’s gaze stayed on me, I smiled and waved at him.
• Selena stepped forward immediately. “My sister is just talking nonsense. Please Mrs. Diane, don’t leave.”
• They didn’t utter another word, they just turned and walked out. Dad and mom literally ran after them pleading.
• Just as I turned to go back upstairs, Selene blocked my path.
• “Where do you think you’re going?”
• I casually rolled my eyes. “Get out of the way Selene.”
• “Get out of the way Selene” she mimicked with a mocking face. “You just made father lose a very big deal and you’re not even sorry about it.”
• I smiled. “Why don’t you play the hero and save it?”
• I watched as her face twisted in anger, she raised her hand immediately but I caught it mid-air. “I’d advise you to think twice before doing anything, Selene.”
• “You think pretending you’re married would save you?” her lips curved in a smile. “The Lavels will be back, and when they come, your life will become a living hell.”
• I raised my eyebrows. “So you knew about this?”
• She yanked her hand free. “You think I’m stupid like you?” she said, massaging her wrist. “Why else, would I convince dad to give you to them instead?”
• “So you know about their ritual?”
• She frowned. “What ritual?”
• I chuckled. “That’s what I thought.”
• I shoved her aside and made my way upstairs.
• "You're going to pay for this, Gwen!" Selene screamed after me, her voice echoing up the stairwell. "Just wait until Dad gets back inside!"
• I didn't bother looking back. I reached the top landing, my mind already calculating my next move. I had successfully scared off the Lavels for now, but I knew it wouldn't last. They would eventually realize I was just a regular girl who somehow found out their family secret.
• The handle turned, but the door didn't open. It felt like it was welded shut.
• I frowned, jerking the handle harder. "What the..."
• The door jerked open at once, making me almost trip. I headed straight for my drawer and grabbed a small canvas duffel bag, My hands shook as I packed. Not because I doubted my decision—but because I remembered exactly what happened when I stayed. I grabbed my passport and some cash. I knew how my father operated. The moment he walked back through that front door, he would try to lock me up or drag me to the Lavels himself. I had to leave now.
• I slipped down the back staircase, avoiding the foyer where my parents were still outside probably still pleading with the Lavels. Within minutes, I was out the back gates of the estate, walking quickly down the dimly lit, tree-lined road toward the main highway. I kept glancing over my shoulder, making sure Selene hadn’t followed me.
• My stomach grumbled. I held it instinctively. We were supposed to have dinner with the Lavels but thanks to me, it never happened. My mind flashed back to the look on Diane Lavel face when I said that name…. Asmodeus. I had heard it right before that knife pierced my chest. The Lavel family looked so frightened when I said it. Even Bernard was trembling. Was he some kind of god to them?
• A sudden flash of headlights almost blinded my eyes. “Hey! Watch where you point your lights.”
• The car stopped right in front of me. At first, I thought he wanted to apologize, but nothing happened; no one came out. I stiffened, stepping closer to the trees, at the same time, a sleek black van screeched to a halt right beside me.
• Before I could even turn to run, the side door flew open. Three huge men dressed in tactical gear came out.
• “If you come any closer, I’ll scream!” I yelled at the top of my voice.
• They didn’t look threatened, instead, they took another step closer. One grabbed my arms, pinning them to my sides.
• “Helppp!!!” I screamed at once.
• Just then, I felt a chemically scented cloth over my nose and mouth. I thrashed violently, kicking out and trying to scream, but the fumes filled my lungs instantly. I felt my entire body go numb, as they dragged my limp body into the back of the van, a familiar, cruel voice echoed from the front seat.
• "Drive,"