I say all this while still standing rooted in the doorway, the chilly breeze blowing against my back, but I don’t feel it.
I’m nothing more than a block of ice and nothingness.
Nothing matters anymore.
Quickly wiping away the lone tear on my left cheek.
“Splendid!” Courtney exclaims. “I’m so glad you said that dear. Now, let’s get this over with so I never ever have to see your face again.”
“I knew you would do the right thing, princess,” Nathan says. “See Court, I knew my Amy would do the right thing. We didn’t have to do anything but wait.”
Hmmm.
“Uh, before all of that, I need something first.”
“I’m sorry if you misread this entire thing. This is not a negotiation,” Courtney snaps. “Now, come inside and sign these.”
“Sign what?” I whisper hoarsely.
“Your exodus papers from my sons lives of course,” she says happily. “Oh, and another life changing contract, at least for your pathetic life Mia, courtesy of your father.”
“What… what contract?” I stutter.
“Care to tell her the rest, Nathan?”
“Your own marriage contract, Mia.”
It’s like standing in the middle of the tracks, frozen in place with no hope pf escape as a freight train hurtles towards you. Everything shifts but the shock, it’s frosty and vicious, marred by the genuine smile on both Courtney and Nathan’s faces.
“What?”
“You, my princess, you are my golden ticket!” Nathan says. “And you are getting married! Isn’t that the happiest news you’ve ever had in your life?”
“No, there’s no way.”
“Oh, but if you want your dearest Julian to not rot in prison, or your precious Liam or that Perry boy to suffer, you will sign these.”
Jesus. My knees buckle and I quickly grab the door frame, to hold myself up. May chest is heaving up and down so fast but still, I struggle to breathe.
“Who?” I whisper brokenly.
“What?”
“To whom am I getting married?”
“Hmm, I’m still debating it. The bidders are incredibly high but I’m sure we can get it higher still.”
In other words, it’s a contract… for sell. My God.
I feel sick to my stomach.
“Well damn,” Courtney whistles. “You say I’m a bad parent but look at what you have. First, he traumatizes you when you’re kid so much so that you lose your poor memory. He molds you into what he wants and now this?”
“Didn’t you beat up that kid, Court?” Nathan mocks. “We’re the same, love. Birds of the same feather and all that. So, what say you, princess? Because either way…”
“Either way I won’t win,” I mutter, staring down at the blurry floor. “Either way, you’ll make sure that everything that gives me peace, everyone I love, is ripped away from me, won’t you?”
“Uh, yes.”
It’s as simple as that.
“How will I know that you’ll keep your word?” I ask. “How can I trust you?”
“Sign this,” he says, taking out a piece of paper. “And you’ll see.”
I will see, all right. I’ll see him betray me yet again because this after all isn’t about Julian or Liam or Cole for that matter. This is about whatever history is there between Nathan and John Fitzgerald.
If I sign that, I’m signing away my life and gamble with Julian’s. If I don’t, I’m pretty sure Nathan will see that as an act of rebellion, and he’ll retaliate by making good on his threats.
What do I do? Oh God.
“Oh, for God’s sake, sign it!” Courtney says. “You said you love my son, don’t you? Now sign it.”
Well then. I’ll be damned.
My signing of these papers is also important to Courtney. I wonder if she knows that Nathan is going to play her.
Silence falls over us. I’m sure they can both hear my heart beating.
“I think she needs a bit more incentive, don’t you think Courtney?” Nathan says, looking at me. I glance at Courtney who all but jumps gleefully as she rushes to her bag.
I feel the blood in my veins start swooshing violently, my heart starts pounding harder as I watch her, feeling the gloom of the moment. When Courtney turns back to look at me, the sickly-sweet smile on her face makes me feel faint, but it’s the black envelope in her hands that makes my heart stop beating.
“Do you want to see what’s in here, Mia?” she says softly, tauntingly, knowing exactly what she’s doing to me. “Do you want to see the signatures on this marriage contract?”
Oh God.
It’s actually happening.
I’m too well versed in Courtney’s smiles to recognize that she’s not bluffing. Whatever’s in there will effectively break my heart. So, do I want to actually see some girl’s flowery signature next to Julian’s, promising each other for the rest of their lives, a life doesn’t include me? No thanks.
“Wanna see?” Courtney mocks.
“No,” I whisper. “I’ll sign whatever you need me to sign.”
“Good! See, you are smart!” Courtney says almost excitedly.
“Yes, just one more thing, princess. If you think there’s a part of this that you can rig, if you think you can get out of this agreement, then you’re sadly mistaken,” Nathan says menacingly, ruthlessly, the meaning behind his words echoing in my head. “I see everything. I know everything and you will comply, if you don’t want blood to be shed.”
I hold his gaze for a long moment. I can feel the darkness closing in on me, my life becoming nothing more than a dying flicker. A single tear races down my cheek.
This is for Julian.
“Where’s the pen?”
Headlines
SCANDAL OF THE DECADE IN PALOS VERDES!
After two weeks of tensions mounting, hard truths being exposed and the disgusting actions of the rich and privileged finally being realized, Palos Verdes’ very own football star—now with a highly uncertain future—Julian Fitzgerald goes to court today.
Out on bail set at a whooping $2 million dollars on the very day he was arrested, Julian Fitzgerald seems to be untouchable even with the number of charges against him; kidnapping, assault, rape, just to mention a few.
It’s no surprise that the defense team of the poor victim, whose been through so much, Mia Montague, is pushing for justice at all costs.
The nation now waits on pins and needles for the outcome of today’s hearing.
However, while there’ve been calls for justice, there have also been reports of a social media uproar as many, nation-wide, come out in defense of the famed young star, Fitzgerald.
Now, we’re left to wonder, is he guilty or did Mia Montague cry wolf and make this all up just to stain another wealthy legacy as some sort of smear campaign?
@clintwoodhotsuff: Ice Queen, Mia freaking Montague, what a fucking joke. I bet you anything she made all this up because he moved on to better. #desperatewhore
@richkid_: Please, that’s what you desperados do nowadays. You took the whole ‘trap him’ thing to a new level. Just lie that he raped you. Not that I blame Fitz. I’d tap that if given the chance.