Page 3 of Misconducts & Temptation

They stepped inside, their eyes sweeping over the house with a mix of professional detachment and mild curiosity.

“We were just getting ready for our dinner,” my stepmother said smoothly. "But I'd be happy to give you a tour of the property."

A tour? Property? My chest tightened as the realization hit me.

"Wait," I blurted out before I could stop myself. "You're selling the house?"

The room went silent. My stepmother's eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed with anger.

"Elodie," she said through gritted teeth, her voice low and dangerous. "This is not the time."

"No," I insisted, my voice shaking but resolute. "You can't sell it. This house—it's all I have left of Dad."

My stepmother's face turned an alarming shade of red. The Carters exchanged awkward glances, clearly uncomfortable with the unfolding drama.

"I think we should come back another time," Mr. Carter suggested, edging towards the door.

"Nonsense," my stepmother snapped, her fury now directed solely at me. "Elodie, you are being incredibly rude."

"I don't care!" I cried out, my emotions finally spilling over. "You can't just?—"

The slap came so fast I didn't even see it coming. My cheek stung sharply where her hand had connected, and I stumbled back in shock.

"Get out to the backyard," she hissed, her voice trembling with rage. "And don't come back inside until you've picked every last weed out there."

I stood there for a moment, frozen by humiliation and fury.

"Now!" she barked.

I turned on my heel and walked out to the backyard, feeling every pair of eyes boring into my back as I went. The evening air was cool against my burning cheek, but it did little to soothe the turmoil inside me.

Dropping to my knees in the garden bed, I began pulling weeds with shaky hands as tears blurred my vision. It wouldn't get dark until nine or ten at night.

I kept at it until my fingers were numb and the sky had turned a deep shade of indigo.

I was still yanking weeds from the garden bed when I heard the back door creak open. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

“Mom is fuming, you know,” Stephanie said, her voice laced with smug satisfaction. “You really messed up this time, Elodie.”

Annabelle snickered. “Yeah, you’re lucky she didn’t kick you out on the spot.”

Ha. As if she would. Then who would she boss around?

I kept my focus on the task at hand, ignoring their taunts. I had no energy left for their petty games.

“You’re such a loser,” Stephanie continued, stepping closer. “Always ruining everything.”

Annabelle joined in, adding, “Maybe you should just leave. No one wants you here, anyway.”

Their words stung, but I had grown used to the sting. I pulled another stubborn weed from the ground, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a reaction.

Without warning, their taunting turned into shrieking. My head snapped up in alarm.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, rising to my feet.

“There! There!” Annabelle screamed, pointing towards a patch of grass near the fence. “A snake! Get rid of it!”

Stephanie’s face had gone pale as she backed away, nearly tripping over her own feet. “Do something, Elodie!”

---