---- 10_Remember my words. Faith Whereas before | felt as if my heart might break and tear from my chest just to escape from my body, now the organ thunders so violently that it feels as if all my blood is going straight to it. Ice- cold adrenaline courses through my veins, forcing the organ into overdrive. No other part of the body needs the thick, red fluid, only the racing heart. It's desperate to pump every drop of my blood, possibly to absorb it and blow up, so the nightmare would finally come to an end. For good. | feel clammy, a bead of sweat rolls down the back of my neck. | wipe my hands on my shirt, trying to dry the fear excreting from my pores, leaving them moist. My gaze wanders back to the guard. He stares at the door, frowning. | think he's on my side. ---- Not that anyone's taking sides in this situation, but those with common sense will understand how unfair and vile my father is. It would be unfair of me to demand or seek support as | understand how much some people rely on his decisions, but sometimes | wish someone would stand up and say "Faith can decide for herself." Or at least remind him that he doesn't own me. However, long passed the days when | wished for a knight in shining armour to come rescue me. Instead, | get vacant stares of those that turn a blind eye to my father's harshness. | want to be my own person, but it seems even that is too much to ask for. Maybe it wouldn't if | were the son my father wanted. Just as | think of the possibility, his words echo in my mind, proving how right | am. "The value of a daughter is half of that of a son," | whisper his words, just to remind myself where | stand. ---- The guard turns his gaze on me, furrows his brows and mouths, "What?" | shake my head and chuckle, but he keeps glaring at me, so | give in and whisper, "That's what your Alpha told me a week ago. Since I'm a woman, I'm not half as valuable as a son would be. That's why it's so easy for him to toss me around like an object and sell. In the words of the great Alpha Dorian, I'm nothing more than a purchase, some merchandise, goods he invests in! | shrug my shoulders as if the words don't sting and focus my gaze back on the office door, dreading the moment father will order me to enter and face that monster. But hell, the reminder stings and pulls on the cords of my soul, or what remains of it anyway. Now, more than ever, | wish | were born into a family of Omegas. The most they'd ask from me would be to look after the children in the pack. No arranged marriages, no twisted and sick minds - just me and the few responsibilities. ---- The guard steps closer and leans down so that his lips nearly brush my ear as he whispers, "Believe me, those words are lies. | have a daughter, she just turned three, and | couldn't be prouder of my little girl. My mate wanted a daughter, and | wanted a son. But when she was born, any notion of the importance of a boy as a firstborn collapsed. She is my everything. You are worth more than any Alpha claims. Remember my words." He moves away and turns his gaze back to the door. | follow his lead and focus on the near future rather than overthinking every word that has left my father's lips. The worst part is that | keep doing it. Processing each word that man has spat at me. | could focus on the good things, for example - what the guard just said, and yet, | can't. | guess it's true that more traumatic events stick to us because they are surrounded by stronger emotions. As | try to focus on anything but the dreadful Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!