Page 7 of Misconducts & Temptation

The more he pushed, the more determined I became to break free.

But at what cost?

I stared at the ice, my breath fogging up the air around me. The weight of the Douglas name felt like a millstone around my neck. Everything I did, every decision, every action—it was all for the family legacy. The burden of upholding our name had been drilled into me since I was old enough to understand words. But when did my own life start? When did I get to live for myself instead of some damned legacy?

Even my mother had those expectations for me. I remembered her gentle voice, laced with both love and duty, telling me how important it was to be strong for the family. Her words haunted me even now, years after she passed away. She had wanted the best for me, but in her absence, her vision had been twisted by my father into something suffocating.

My thoughts drifted to Lola. There was a time when she was more than just a name tied to an unwanted future. We used to be close, maybe even trusted each other once. She was probably the first person I ever let in, the first crack in my carefully constructed armor. But that trust shattered like glass when she betrayed me.

Her ambition and personal gain took precedence over anything we had. I still remembered the sting of her betrayal, like a knife to the gut. Now, the idea of being locked into a marriage with her—a woman I couldn't even stand to be in the same room with—felt like a prison sentence.

I clenched my fists at the memory of her smirk when she revealed her true colors. She played her part well, making me believe she cared, only to turn around and stab me in the back. My father's insistence on this marriage only fueled my resentment toward both of them.

How could he not see what she truly was? Or worse—did he see and just not care? The thought made my blood boil.

I took another deep breath, trying to calm myself. But it was no use; every inhale felt like dragging in more frustration and anger. The rink now felt like another cage.

When would it end? When would I get to make decisions for myself? My father’s voice echoed in my mind again—his ultimatum clear as day.

But as long as I lived under his thumb, freedom seemed like nothing more than a distant dream.

I skated back toward the boards and picked up my helmet. The cold air nipped at my skin, but it couldn't touch the fire burning inside me.

I knew one thing for certain: I couldn't keep living this way.

But maybe… maybe I didn't have to.

I had to get married to continue the legacy, sure.

But did it have to be to Lola?

Could it be to whomever I wanted?

Maybe there was some desperate bimbo willing to marry me for… money? Maybe we could work out some mutually beneficial deal.

I smirked at the thought.

Maybe I could make this work for me after all.

The idea started taking shape in my mind—a plan that would allow me to fulfill my father's demands without sacrificing my freedom entirely.

It wasn't perfect, but it was better than being trapped in a loveless marriage with Lola or losing the lifestyle I was used to.

And if there was one thing I knew how to do, it was fight for what I wanted.

Even if that meant playing by my own rules.

Chapter 3

Elodie

Irushed through the hallway, my steps echoing against the cold tile floors of Crestwood Academy. The clock on my phone mocked me; I was running late. Again. My stepmother had kept me busy all morning, no doubt punishment for the incident last night. I didn’t even get a chance to finish my homework.

The girls’ locker room was a mess. Clothes and towels strewn about like the aftermath of a storm, shampoo bottles left open, and the distinct smell of sweat mingled with floral body spray filled the air. I got to work quickly, folding towels and picking up discarded gym clothes, my mind half-focused on an essay due tomorrow.

After what felt like an eternity, I was finally done. My shift wasn’t over yet, though; I still had to check the boys' locker room. I approached the door, knocking firmly.

“Hello? It’s Elodie. Coming in to clean,” I called out, waiting for any sign that someone might still be inside.

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