Chapter 2Heartless: The Devil's Bargain

My coldness didn't make Julian happy. If anything, it seemed to annoy him.

He cleared his throat to speak, but Bella interrupted.

She walked over, her hand adorned with a ten-carat diamond ring, and pinched my arm hard, right on a bruise.

"Sister, I'm so glad you're back. No one is more suited to be my bridesmaid than you."

"You don't know how boring it’s been without you."

"I've been waiting for you to come back so we can... play."

I smiled at Bella.

"My dear sister, I’ve been waiting for this reunion too."

Years ago, my parents built their business from scratch. I suffered through poverty with them. Just when life was getting good, Bella’s mom showed up with her.

They stressed my mother until she died of a stroke.

Overnight, I went from the cherished daughter to the unwanted burden.

The day she moved in, Bella smashed my mother’s photo and took my bedroom. She framed me for stealing and got me banished to the utility closet.

It was hot, dusty, and cramped.

Every time I came out, Bella would cover her nose and say I smelled. I wasn't allowed at the dinner table.

I ate leftovers. I wore rags. I endured Bella’s punches and kicks whenever she was in a bad mood.

Once, starving, I snuck a piece of cake Bella had thrown in the trash.

She caught me. She took a needle and thread and literally sewed my lips shut.

The nanny wanted to take me to the ER. My father stopped her. He tore the thread out of my flesh himself.

"How do I have such a useless daughter? If people find out, where will I put my face?"

"If you were half as elegant as your sister, I wouldn't hate you so much!"

To hide the "shame," he fired the staff and made me do all the chores.

I rolled on the floor in pain that day, but all I could think was: The cake was sweet.

If I’m good, maybe Dad will buy me a cake one day.

Now, looking at Bella’s smile and my father’s disgust, all I wanted to do was take a cake fork and jam it into their eyes.

I grabbed Bella’s hand.

"Sister, your hands are so pretty. Long, slender fingers. Manicured perfectly."

"Mine used to look like that. Until you smashed them with a hammer. Now they're crooked and ugly."

Bella yanked her hand back, looking guilty and scared.

"What are you talking about?" she gasped. "You're just jealous I'm marrying Julian. How can you slander me like that?"

Julian immediately pulled her into a hug.

"Quinn! When will you stop lying? Bella is pure and kind. Just because I love her doesn't mean you get to attack her!"

Dad slapped me across the face.

"You bully your sister the moment you get back? You should have died in that hospital!"

I covered my stinging cheek and lowered my head so they wouldn't see my smile.

Yes. I did die.

I died from my family's cruelty and my lover's betrayal.

The thing standing here now is a monster without a heart.

A demon who has come to collect.