Chapter 7: Web of Lies
"Enough!" Naomi’s father, Mr. Luke, finally yelled, his anger spilling over as it echoed through the room. His face was flushed with frustration, and his tone left no room for further argument. "Naomi will marry him."
"What? That’s impossible..." Anna’s voice came out in a low whisper, her body trembling as she struggled to comprehend the situation.
Naomi turned to her father in utter shock. Her sister had just revealed to a complete stranger that she wasn’t a virgin. To Naomi, it felt as though her sister might as well have posted it on Hellogram for the whole world to see. But despite the embarrassment and the betrayal, the most shocking thing was her father’s words. His decision was so final, so cold, as if nothing else mattered but his own reputation. Her father only cared about himself—about his precious public image.
Naomi turned to Zylan, her heart pounding in her chest, hoping that this was all some kind of cruel joke. But Zylan’s expression remained unreadable, his eyes locked on hers, silently observing. He didn’t say a word, his gaze cool and detached, as if the chaos in the room barely concerned him.
Her heart sank further. This was the same man who had threatened to throw her off the first floor that night. His silence only solidified her fear—there was no escaping this.
"Mr. Johnson’s son will marry you instead," her father added, turning to Anna, his tone firm and final.
"N-no," Anna stammered, shaking her head in disbelief, her face paling with every passing second. She glanced around the room, searching for some sort of support, but found none.
Their mother, who had remained quiet throughout the tense exchange, finally found her voice. It was timid and hesitant, barely audible. "B-but, Mr. Zylan," she stammered, wringing her hands, "she is... impure."
Naomi could only roll her eyes, her mind swimming with sarcastic thoughts. ’Oh, great. Why don’t they just broadcast to the entire country that I’ve lost my virginity?’ It seemed as though her family had no boundaries when it came to humiliating her.
But before anyone could respond, Zylan spoke, his deep voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "About that..."
Just as he began to speak, the door creaked open, and a woman stepped into the room.