Page 15 of Promised

I tucked the book away in my bag before leaving my bedroom. Moments later, I knocked on my sister’s door. When she opened it, she was dressed in her pajamas. Her hair was pulled into a bun, and her face was free of make-up.

“Ariella.” Her gaze flicked down the hall, looking for our father. “Did you need something?”

We were so conditioned to be quiet. To hide in our rooms so that we didn’t accidentally provoke him. That’s exactly what we’d done. It was barely eight at night, and we’d turned in.

It wasn’t right. We weren’t little kids anymore.

“Let’s go out.” I walked past her.

Her walls were still painted a soft pink, as were the sheets and furniture. The only new things were the three computer screens sitting on the desk in the corner of the room. The rest of the place looked like it was stuck in time. Like she was still a nine-year-old girl.

That’s how I felt, stuck. Stuck in the past. Stuck in my life.

“We can’t.” She shook her head as she leaned against the door, holding it open as if to tell me to leave.

“Zara, please,” I begged. I was crawling out of my own skin. I couldn’t stay in this house another minute longer.

“Father won’t like it.” She pursed her lips, but I could see the gleam in her eyes.

She never got a chance to be wild because I’d destroyed it for the both of us. Our father had come down even harder on her after I’d had my miscarriage. After I’d ruined myself, making it impossible for him to marry me off.

“Come on.” I grasped her hands, shaking her arms back and forth. “We never got to do this together.”

Her face hardened as I smiled at her. “Because you were gone.”

“I had to go. You know I had to.” I squeezed her hands tight. I couldn’t take another person looking at me like this. Like I was evil. Like it was all my fault. I knew it was.

I’d fallen in love with Adam. I’d had a miscarriage. I ran when he did. But all I’d ever wanted was to be happy. To live my own life. Make my own choices.

It had all gotten fucked up along the way. But still, I wanted to find a little happiness. Maybe repairing my relationship with my sister was the first step. “Let me make up for it.”

“We’ll all go.” My jaw clenched as Britney appeared at the door. “You’re father is already asleep. I’d love to get out.”

Zara raised a brow in my direction, but what was I supposed to say? “Great.”

* * *

Music blared from the speakers as we pushed through the mass of people. The dance floor was crowded with writhing bodies and smoke that was being pumped into the room. Smoke seemed to be the theme of the bar. People we’re drinking smoking cocktails. The walls were painted a smoky gray with a swirling technique. The chandelier hanging between the first and second floors was made of blown glass. It looked like orange and red flames lighting up the room.

“How did you find this place?” I yelled in Britney’s ear as she led us up the stairs.

She wore a tight red dress that stood out against the dark decor. Her long blonde hair was curled, hanging loose around her shoulders.

“Your father bought it last year.” She shouted back.

Great. The last place I wanted to be was somewhere my father could watch us. But I guess it was too late for that now.

Britney sat in one of the VIP booths made of black leather. Zara looked out of place next to her. Her dark hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail. And her blue dress was sleeveless but had a high neck.

I’d gone all out. My hair was up, showing off all the skin my dress exposed. It was a silver halter style that clung to my body. It dipped low in the front and was backless. The lights bounced off the sequins as I leaned forward, reaching for one of the drinks the waitress had set down. I wiped my mouth as I swallowed it in one gulp.

“Not your first time.” Britney laughed as she handed me another.

“Nope.” I tossed the second drink back, letting the warmth of tequila push the chill from my bones.

When I’d first left Sayton City, I’d partied every night. Living out the freedom I’d always wanted. At least, that’s what I told myself.

But deep down, I knew it was because I wanted to forget. I wanted to lose myself. In the drinks. In the crowd. I wanted to not exist. Not feel.

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