Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 42

“I’ve only just set foot in Bay City, Madame,” I said calmly, forcibly yet discreetly prying her fingers from my arm.

Rima Knowles grimaced as I tightened my hold, but she made no sound–ever careful to preserve her composed façade in public.

“And already,” I continued evenly, “you’re arranging my marriage to a man twice my age.”

A scoff escaped me, soft but deliberate.

“Why don’t you marry him instead, Madame Rima?” I added lightly, a mocking smile curving my lips.

“If I remember correctly, you were always fond of sneaking out to meet him.”

For the first time, the ever–composed Rima Knowles paled. Miriam turned sharply toward her mother. “Mom?”

“What nonsense are you spouting, you bitch?” Rima snapped, lunging for me in uncharacteristic loss of control.

I stepped back just in time. She stumbled, barely keeping her balance.

“Mom!” Miriam rushed forward, grabbing her arm to steady her.

I tilted my head thoughtfully. “Maybe I’m mistaken,” I said, rubbing my chin as if in genuine contemplation.

“But I distinctly remember–back when I was in high school–you slipping out repeatedly to meet President Roel Dane in the parking lot.”

I paused, then smiled sweetly.

“Or perhaps I’m wrong. You wouldn’t do something like that to Dad… would you, Madame?”

Rima stood frozen, her face drained of color, lips pressed tightly together.

“Mom?” Miriam demanded, panic creeping into her voice. “What is this bitch talking about?”

Her mother didn’t answer. So I leaned in slightly, my tone gentle–almost kind.

“Why don’t you answer your daughter, Madame?” I urged softly.

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Chapter 42

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“I’ll give you time to explain it to your daughter,” I whispered before stepping away from her

grasp.

“Bitch,” she spat under her breath, her glare sharp enough to cut.

“What nonsense are you spouting, Cassie?” Mirriam demanded, turning to me when she received no answer from her mother.

“I’m not sure myself, Mirriam,” I said lightly, feigning innocence as I looked back at Rima Knowles. “Only your mother can explain it to us.”

Rima’s composure finally cracked.

“You really wasted no time causing trouble the moment you returned,” she snapped, her face flushing a deep, furious red. “Do you think you’re braver now?”

She stepped toward me, fury blazing in her eyes. If looks could kill, I would have been on the ground.

“How dare you weave lies about me?” she hissed. “Are you trying to destroy my family?”

Then she reached for her favorite weapon.

“Is this how you repay me for raising you in my own household?” she went on through clenched teeth. “I treated you like a daughter.”

A short, humorless laugh slipped past my lips.

“A daughter, Madame?” I echoed, almost impressed by how convincingly she said it.

I tilted my head, the memories surfacing uninvited–sharp, bitter.

“All I remember is doing the housework before I was allowed to eat,” I continued quietly. ” Finishing Mirriam’s assignments and projects perfectly–because one mistake meant I wouldn’t be fed for an entire day. I was not even allowed to get higher than the passing grade or I will be beaten” Chapter 42

My lips trembled as I tried to keep smiling, but the memories were too raw, too cruel to be masked by mockery.

“I was treated like a slave,” I went on, my voice tightening despite my effort to keep it steady.

“Every meal I ate, every scrap of clothing, every roof you allowed over my head–I paid for all of it with my labor. And even then, I was treated like a plague despite Knowles blood running through my veins.” The words tasted bitter as they left my mouth.

“So tell me, Madame,” I said, lifting my gaze to meet hers, unflinching. “What else do you expect me to repay?”

Her answer came without hesitation, venomously calm.

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“Even your life wouldn’t be enough to repay what I’ve done for you, Cassidy,” she hissed, her jaw clenched so tightly it trembled.

“I should have thrown you out into the street the moment you were born. You are the curse of this family. You don’t deserve to live”

The sentence landed like a slap–sharp, deliberate, and meant to wound. But I am already used to it. It was nothing new.

“Just like what you did to my mother?” I said quietly, the calm in my voice far more dangerous than any shout, “You decided whether she lived or not.”

I narrowed my eyes, holding her gaze, refusing to be the first to look away.

For a fraction of a second, terror flickered across her face–raw and unmistakable–before she smothered it beneath practiced fury.

“You’re talking nonsense, Cassidy,” she snapped. “Has hunger finally ruined your mind?” Her chin lifted, arrogance sliding back into place like armor. “I’ll inform your father that you’ve returned.”

“And don’t even think of spouting this madness in front of him,” she continued, her voice dropping as she grabbed my arm with bruising force. Her fingers dug in as she leaned closer, her breath hot against my ear. “Or you’ll answer to me.”

The threat was familiar. Once, it would have reduced me to silence,

I said nothing as she released me and turned on her heel.

I watched her storm away, her steps sharp and furious against the pavement. Mirriam hurried after her, calling softly, but before she disappeared, she glanced back at me confusion clouding her features, doubt beginning to take root.

I stood where I was, unmoving, my arm still burning from Madame Rima’s tight grip.

“Or perhaps you’re the one who will have to answer to me, Madame,” I whispered into the empty space they left behind.

Just the first day back in Bay City, and I was already being tested. The thought settled heavily in my chest. If this was how my return began, I could only imagine what the days ahead had in store.

I let out a slow breath. “My dear Bay City,” I murmured, equal parts weary and resigned, “you’ve never changed.”

Refusing to let the encounter derail me completely, I forced my feet to move. I needed food. I needed rest. Something solid to anchor myself after the storm I’d just endured.

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Chapter 43

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