SWNOVELS Chapter 4
"Joycelyn, please." Iris's soft voice carried a subtle rebuke. "Phineas wants what's best for you-a stable future." Her swollen eyes betrayed hours of tears, yet here she was, still playing peacemaker.
Exhaustion swept through Joycelyn as she closed her eyes and drew a steadying breath. "That hundred- thousand-dollar engagement gift-why not sell off your own precious daughter instead?"
"God, I wouldn't marry that troll," Octavia drawled from her perch on the couch, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "You should grab the offer while you're young enough to command a decent price. Once you hit thirty, you'll be damaged goods."
Cold fury settled in Joycelyn's chest as she met her mother's eyes. "Mom, is that really what you think too?"
Her mother's averted gaze spoke volumes. The message was clear-Joycelyn had no real place in this family.
"Octavia." Iris's weak protest earned only a contemptuous eye roll from her daughter.
"Either marry him tomorrow or get out of my house!" Phineas's voice thundered through the room. "Mom." Joycelyn's voice cracked with disappointment. "What was the point of all these years?"
Iris opened her mouth, but Phineas cut her off. "I'm your man now-your lifelong partner. A married daughter is like water under the bridge. You can't count on her anymore."
"Listen to your father, dear," Iris whispered, thoroughly cowed.
"My father is dead." Joycelyn's words could have frozen hell as she stared at Phineas.
"Then get out!" he roared. "Get out of my house, you ungrateful snake. Let's see how long you last on your own, you worthless parasite!"
Something died in Joycelyn's heart as she watched her mother's passive acceptance. Without a word, she stuffed her clothes into a suitcase and strode toward the door. "Don't worry, I'm going."
Her defiance caught Phineas off guard. "And don't bother coming back!" he shouted at her retreating form.
With no glance backward, Joycelyn took her suitcase and got into the elevator.
*****
Rain hammered the streets as Joycelyn came out.
She plunged into the downpour, each icy drop another strike against her skin. Tears mingled with rain on her face as she dragged her suitcase through puddles, her clothes plastered to her trembling frame. Lightning split the sky. Thunder crashed overhead. She dropped into a crouch, hands clasped over her head. These storms had haunted her since the rainy night that claimed her father's life.
Finding shelter beneath a bus stop, she huddled against the plastic wall. The wind howled, driving sheets of rain sideways. Tonight, even basic survival seemed an impossible task.
Her eyes burned from all the crying as she checked her phone-5% battery. 'They say God never closes a door without opening a window,' she thought bitterly. 'But my life's just one slammed door after another.' With a hollow laugh, she pulled up the company directory and found Ellison's contact.
Her fingers moved before her brain could object, sending a message..[Mr. Grant, I'm Joycelyn Maynard. Does your marriage offer from this afternoon still stand?]
The moment she hit send, self-loathing crashed over her. She'd rejected him twice today already; she had no reason to think he would agree to help her now.