His Fake Tenderness

Summary

My mother was a maid for the Diabys. A drunken accident left her pregnant with me. They discarded her and kept me, treating me as their lifelong shame. The legitimate daughter saw me as a thorn, leading her clique to bully me daily. Derek, the eldest son, beat and cursed me at will. On my eighteenth birthday, he tried forcing me to marry an old man. When I refused, he personally dragged me to that man’s bed.

Wayne Ashford kicked the door open. He shielded my trembling body with his coat and fought the entire Diaby family for me. He bought me fine clothes and took me to see the ocean. Whenever I cried about my mother being forced that night she simply passed my father’s room, he kissed my tears away, swearing he believed me. I thought I’d found salvation. With nothing else to give, I offered myself as his birthday gift in the dark.

As he coaxed me closer, the lights snapped on. My siblings, classmates, and wealthy heirs all pointed at my disgrace. Wayne tore away the blanket I clutched. "You claimed your mother wasn't a slut who seduced men," he sneered. "But you are, aren't you?" His favor was only a trap to grind me into filth. After crying until I was hollow, I called overseas. "Mom," I whispered. "I'll come home."