Night of Destiny

Chapter 1 A Night of Absurdities

“Anastasia, help! I’ve been molested at the club!”

The desperate and helpless sound of her best friend’s voice was the only thing on Anastasia Tillman’s mind as she rushed over to the clubhouse.

Room 808. Anastasia looked up at the number plaque on the door of the private room. It was the same room number that her best friend, Hayley Seymour, had texted her. Without another thought, she barged through the door to save her friend.

When the door swung open under her hand, she was greeted by the darkness within. Suddenly, a strong hand clasped around her wrist and dragged her into the dark room, followed by a loud thud as the door slammed shut.

“Hey—who are you, and what do you want?!” Anastasia shrieked, her eyes darting around wildly as she tried to make out her surroundings.

“Settle down, and I’ll treat you well.” A man’s deep and husky voice spoke close to her ear.

The next second, Anastasia was unceremoniously tossed onto the couch, and before she could scramble to her feet, a lean and strong body pinned her down.

She let out a muffled cry when a pair of lips that tasted like peppermint captured hers.

The man on top of her felt burning hot to the touch. A sense of hopelessness brought tears to her eyes as she tried to struggle against the man, but in the end, she could do nothing but endure the man’s ferocity.

An hour later, Anastasia staggered out of the room, looking disheveled. She had only just been through a nightmare, but that didn’t distract her from worrying about her best friend’s safety.

She was just about to call Hayley’s number when she saw a group of men and women walking out the side door. Under the lights, she instantly recognized the two of the women in the group.

One happened to be Hayley, her best friend who had cried for help on the phone earlier, and the other was Anastasia’s stepsister, Erica Tillman. The two girls walked side by side with their arms linked, as if they were the closest of friends.

Shock and rage colored Anastasia’s features when she saw them. “Stop right there, Hayley!” she called out loudly over the distance as her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

Upon hearing this, Hayley and Erica swiveled around to face her. Anastasia glowered at them, ashen-faced as she demanded of Hayley, “Why would you lie to me?!”

Hayley smirked. “It’s not my fault that you’re always so gullible, Anastasia.”

“Did you have a good time with that gigolo back there?” Erica asked in a sing-song voice, smiling wickedly.

Anastasia realized that both of them had set her up. The chastity she had

as she seethed, “Did you actually think I was your friend, Anastasia? I’ve been living in your shadow ever since we met! I hate you, and I want

need to show Dad that you’ve been pimping yourself for money at

had been through, and the collective weight of her friend’s betrayal and

do we?” With her arm looped through Hayley’s, Erica led her toward the sports

male voice yelled out in rage, “You became an escort for money just because I wouldn’t let you

“Dad, I didn’t—”

Anastasia! How could you go to such shameless lengths? Did we starve you, or did we deprive you of anything? I can’t believe you would pimp yourself to random strangers in a filthy clubhouse! For your sake, I hope you haven’t brought any disease back to this house. Who knows

it. I—” Anastasia tried to

word from her. He glowered at her maliciously as he snapped, “Still lying to me, I see. Get out of this home right now! I

was going exactly the way she had planned. In a matter of minutes, Anastasia was going to be cast out of the house and wander around like some pathetic

silent when she saw the thunderous and disappointed look on her father’s face. She wordlessly rose from her seat and

of her chest, the younger girl sneered,

as she

eyes, Erica leaned forward. “What, do you want to slap me or something?” She turned her cheek toward the fuming

hand down across Erica’s face, resulting in a hard

Erica let out a shrill cry. “You just hit me! Mom, Dad—Anastasia

quickly pulled her daughter into her arms and cried up the stairwell, “How dare you strike my daughter,

never been more disappointed

her father’s arms, taking in exaggerated

Anastasia!”

grew stone-cold when she saw how her own father was holding Erica in his

in his heart. Francis had only heard Erica’s side of the story instead of asking Anastasia about

had spent her years in this home living like an outsider, for her father had brought home

her husband’s extra-marital

never come back to

Anastasia dragged her suitcase out the front door, and a