Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 2

"What are you still waiting for? Get your ass out of here.”

I had already changed into fresh clothes and now sat quietly on the edge of my bed, staring at nothing. My thoughts spiraled endlessly, grasping for any way to convince Dad not to abandon me, when Mirriam strode into my room with a contemptuous sneer, arms crossed, eyes glittering with cruel satisfaction.

I was used to that look—she wore it whenever we were alone. She never missed a chance to make me feel like an intruder in my own home, an outsider who never truly belonged. And somehow, no one ever saw through her.

“Mirriam, please…” I rushed toward her, desperation propelling me forward. “Help me. Please help me convince Dad not to throw me out—”

I reached for her instinctively, but she swatted my hand aside as if I were something filthy. I had no choice but to pull back, my fingers curling uselessly into my palm.

“Help you?” she scoffed, exasperation sharpening her features. Her eyes stabbed into me like daggers. “Are you really this shameless, Cassie?”

“You drugged my boyfriend just so you could sleep with him,” she continued, her lips curling in disgust. “And now you want me to help you?”

Her bitter, mocking laugh rang in my ears, echoing until it felt unbearable.

“I swear, Mirriam,” I pleaded, my voice trembling. “I don’t know how it happened. I don’t—”

I had said it so many times already, the words worn thin, but I clung to them anyway, desperate for even the smallest chance she might believe me.

“Stop, Cassidy!” she snapped. “I know you planned all of this. Do you think I don’t know how you look at Ashton?”

Her gaze turned murderous. “You’ve always wanted him. You saw your chance and took it—you tried to snatch him away from me.”

Her words hit me like a physical blow, freezing me in place.

“No… that’s not true…” I shook my head frantically, tears blurring my vision. “Please, Mirriam—”

“I will never go between you and Ashton,” I said desperately. “Please believe me.”

I reached for her again without thinking—and she stepped back, retreating as though my touch alone might contaminate her.

“Yes,” I admitted brokenly. “I admire Ashton. Yes, I like him.” The confession burned on my tongue.

“But I never once thought of coming between you and him. Never. I respect him too much to do something like that to him.”

My chest tightened as I fought for breath. “I… I really don’t know how this happened.”

Desperation surged through every nerve in my body. But Mirriam only looked at me with cold, unyielding scorn.

I slid down onto my knees, as the last fragile strand of hope unraveled in my chest.

“Please, Mirriam… help me.” My voice came out small, broken.

“Please convince Dad not to disown me. I only have him.”

I knelt fully in front of her, my hands trembling as they pressed against the floor.

I wasn’t afraid of the streets. I was afraid of having no one.

Afraid of losing the only man whose acceptance I had spent my entire life chasing—even from a distance. I had endured his coldness for years. I could endure more, if only he wouldn’t throw me away.

“I swear,” I rushed on desperately, “I won’t look at Ashton again. I’ll never outshine you. I’ll never stand in your way—just like I promised.”

I clasped my hands together in front of my chest, a pitiful gesture of surrender. Tears streamed freely now, blurring my vision until everything swam.

“Please… Mirriam…”

My voice cracked completely.

She looked down at me with thinly veiled disgust. Then she smiled. A slow, disdainful smirk curved her lips.

“Kiss my shoes,” she said lightly. “Then I might reconsider.”

My entire body went rigid.

The words sank in slowly, brutally, as humiliation crawled up my spine and wrapped around my throat. I stared at her shoes, my mind screaming even as my body refused to move.

She scoffed at my silence. “If you don’t want to, then leave.” She turned slightly, dismissive. “I don’t ever want to see your face in this house again.”

“No—!”

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