Mated To The Cruel Prince novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48: She Was Used To The Pain

Note : This Chapter can be triggering for victims of physical abuse.

"I never changed my mind nor am I involved with Ryder. I told you already, I merely went out to clear my head," Islinda said firmly, her lips pressed in a thin line as she glared at the instigator of this problem, Lillian.

"But the man was interested in you, wasn’t he?" Madam Alice pointed out and Islinda went as white as a sheet.

She could see the wheels turning in Madam Alice’s head and it sent a bolt of fear through her. Surely, the woman wasn’t thinking of that.

" ’Was’ being the word. A man’s desire towards a woman is only for a fleeting moment and I bet he has forgotten all about me. Let’s leave the matter be, mother." Islinda was pleading now while panicking inwardly. If her stepmother dares to pair her with Ryder thanks to Lillian, she would kill her.

"Says by who?!" Madam Alice waved at Islinda as if she was merely a child. " If a man loses interest in you, you have to draw his attention to you."

She stared across the table and continued, "I might not be able to marry off my daughters now but Ryder comes from a reputable family and your bride price should provide us a better life."

Islinda recoiled in horror as if seeing her family for the monsters they are for the first time. She knew Madam Alice loved money, but to think of selling her off, Islinda could not forgive that.

There was a bang and everyone turned in Remy’s direction.

"Islinda cannot be with Ryder," She said, looking flustered.

"Why can’t she be with the man that loves her, dear sister?" Lillian said smugly and Islinda had a feeling she knew about her sister’s secret relationship with the asshole.

"Ryder has children," Remy said, her lips pressed together in silent anger.

"Bastard children," Lillian elaborated, "We are not trying to whore out our dear sister but to marry her off to a man that loves her. Moreover, I’m sure she can’t wait to be rid of us, right sister?"

The spotlight was back on Islinda who stood rooted to the ground. She was still in shock, unable to believe what was going on around her. They kept discussing her fate as if she wasn’t present.

"Lillian is right," Madam Alice supported her, "The children are illegitimate and Islinda need not worry since she would be his legal wife. Her children, when she gives him one or more, would be the rightful inheritors." Mother and daughter aired the same view.

"I am not marrying Ryder and you can’t force me to." Islinda declared and tensed silence fell upon the room.

She just stood up to Madam Alice’s decision and it was not bound to go well. However, Islinda was not scared anymore. Her family was nothing but bullies. They could do their worst but would never force her into marrying that bastard. She was already in love with Valerie and nothing would change that. Thankfully, they don’t know about the Fae.

Wetting her lower lips with her tongue, Islinda stared her in the eyes and said, "I am not going to marry -"

Islinda could not finish the rest of her words because Madam Alice backhanded her and she saw stars. She stumbled back, shaking the dizziness from her eyes only for another slap to land on her face and she fell on the ground.

On the floor, Madam Alice did not even let her recover because she was kicking her and Islinda had to bring up her hands to protect her face from the attack. It hurt so badly and she retreated into the back of her mind, finding it easier to endure the pain that way.

In the farthest part of her mind, Islinda imagined that her father was still alive and life was good. In her imagination, her father did not die and all the hardship she encountered for the past years did not occur. However, the scene suddenly changed and she was grown up, but this time there was Valerie by her side. She imagined what the future would be for the both of them and it was all roses.

It took a while for Islinda to return to the present and realize that the beating had stopped. There were noises now and amid the confusion, she was able to register that Eli was crying. He must be upset with the violence. Poor child. But thanks to his interruption, the beating stopped.

Islinda tried to stand. To reach for Eli. To tell him that this physical pain was nothing, that she was already used to it. But Madam Alice’s grip was strong and she was already hurling her to the direction of the door.

The woman kicked her out, the cold snow cushioning her fall.

"Do not come back here until you’re back to your senses and decide to marry!" Madam Alice shut the door in her face.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢