Abraham seemed distracted, barely paying attention.
His response was careless, dismissive:
"There's a doctor outside the door. She won't die. Go ahead and practice."
In that moment, every last shred of hope shattered.
Abraham Simmons, when you treated my life like a weed to be pulled, did you ever once think about the promises you made?
The man who swore he would never let me be hurt ended up being the one who hurt me the most.
A bitter smile twisted my lips.
Marina, on the other hand, grew even more excited. She seemed certain that no matter what she did today, Abraham wouldn't stop her.
So she gave her next order without a shred of restraint:
"Strip her. It'll be easier to aim without all those clothes in the way."
My entire body went rigid. I blurted out before I could think:
"I'm a member of the Summers family of Harborton! If you dare do this to me, my parents will never let you get away with it!"
"The Summers family of Harborton?"
Marina's laughter was wild, unrestrained.
"Don't make me laugh."
"You? Claiming to be a daughter of the Summers family?"
She gave the order directly.
"Do it."
The assistant glanced at Abraham, hesitant.
Abraham was silent for a long moment.