Ticket To Hell.

Staring at herself in the mirror, Annika placed her hand on her swollen cheek. The imprint of five fingers on her cheek starkly contrasted to her smooth, milky-white skin.

Crystal-clear tears pooled behind her eyelids upon the reminder of who had decorated this on her face. No matter how hard she tried to think differently and see her father in a positive light, she just couldn't do it. 

The hateful stares and words filled with raw hatred echoed in her mind, again and again, like a broken radio. They reminded her that whatever fairytale she has been living in has shattered into tiny pieces that couldn't be found, even with a whole detective team searching for it. 

Annika's lips wobbled as she slowly applied the cream to her bruise. "Hiss!" She took a sharp breath when the cold cream touched her tender skin, causing a sharp stinging sensation. Droplets of tears fell down her cheeks one by one. She just.. couldn't hold it in. Everything adding up in her heart. 

The previous night's event replayed in her mind nonstop. The laughs, snickers, and mocks of New York's socialites echoed in her mind, reminding her of how utterly humiliated and embarrassed she had been yesterday. Not only did her father fail to save face for her, but he also went as far as to slap her and push her onto the floor in front of everyone, tearing her heart into pieces and burning it like trash. 

Annika squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to see her face anymore, which reminded her of the previous night's memories. She shakily ran her fingers through her hair and tried to take a deep breath, attempting to push away the shame and pain that threatened to consume her.

Feeling calm enough and ready to head outside for breakfast, Annika slowly opened her eyes. Her blue eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall and harshly wiped them away with the back of her hands, determined to stay strong and face whatever came her way bravely.

But whatever pep talk Annika had repeated to herself before coming down has vanished into thin air when she saw her father, Avery, and her fiancé, whom she adored, chatting away happily and laughing together.

She felt betrayed and hurt by the sight.

Instead of asking how she is and if she has been dealing with the last night's events kindly or facing any issues, they feigned ignorance and acted like nothing happened. It seems like whether she lived or died doesn't make any difference, Annika thought bitterly in her heart.

Noticing her standing by the stairs, Matthew Rivera, her childhood sweetheart, cast her a disapproving look. "I really didn't envision this act from you, Annika," He said, disappointment evident in his smooth voice. "I thought you were a kind and sweet girl who put her family first, but I thought wrong." He shook his head. "I never knew you could be so evil as to not even help your own kin due to jealousy."

"Matthew, I—-"

"Save it," Matthew said with a look of disgust. "I can't bear to listen to your excuses anymore. It's better if you just leave, Annika." Every word pricked Annika's heart.

Is this the same childhood friend of hers who would leave everything behind and stand up for her when someone tried to bully her? Annika couldn't believe the changes that had occurred in her precious friend during these three months.

"Stop, Matthew!" Avery intervened with a sharp look. "Don't scold, Annika. It's not her fault." Her delicate voice appearing angry. "She learned her lesson enough last night. I don't want anyone to hurt her anymore." She looked every inch of a big sister who was ready to protect her younger sister through thick and thin, making Annika gag inwardly at her fake act.

"Oh dear." Nicholas's ruby eyes softened, and he lovingly rubbed Avery's head. "You're so kind, unlike your evil little sister." He continued. "But dear, defending her when she is at wrong is not good. Annika should learn her lesson. Blood comes before anything else."

"But dad—-" 

"Shush, Avery." Nicholas cast a stern glance at Avery. He then looked at Annika, who was standing quietly by the stairs. "You, after eating your breakfast, come to my study room immediately, understand?" He said, before walking away to his study room. 

"Yes." Annika nodded heartbrokenly. Now her father couldn't even bear to say her name, huh. What has she done in her past life to deserve this type of treatment from her loved ones? Sure enough, her past karma was coming back to bit her. 

Throughout the entire lunch, Annika barely ate four bites before her stomach felt upset. Even though she hadn't eaten anything since last night, the overwhelming feeling of pain in her heart was heavy enough to fill her stomach. 

Cleaning her hands, she gave one last look at Matthew, who was chattering away happily with Avery and sharing all of his funny and cute movements of his childhood. She felt a pang in her heart before she walked away to her father's study room, completely missing out the sly smirk on Avery's face. 

Knock! 

"Dad, can I come in?" Annika asked as she stood outside of her father's study room. 

"Hm." 

Pushing the door open, Annika faced her father, who was scribbling something down on a white piece of paper. Maybe signing a check or something, Annika thought. 

After few seconds, Nicholas gave a wood-colored envelop to Annika. "Here it is." His older yet handsome face devoid of any emotions. 

"This..." Annika looked at her father curiously. "What is it, Daddy?" Had her father regretted his actions and decided to hand her a gift to mend their broken relationship? A slight fire of hope burned in Annika's heart until she heard her father's next words.

"Your plane ticket. You're going to London tomorrow. " 

Boom! 

Annika's whole existence turned 360 degree. She felt like she was living in a dream where this whole drama was playing out. If she blinked opened her eyes, she would wake up from this dreadful dream and return to her floral life. 

But no matter how much she blinked, the envelope, her father, and the study room remained the same. Nothing changed. 

"Daddy, this.. No! I don't want this!" Annika shook her head sharply and stepped back, tears falling uncontrollably from her blue eyes. "This.. why are you doing this to me, Daddy? I apologized yesterday, didn't I? Then why?" She cried out, her voice wobbly and painful, her heart aching with betrayal. 

"Because this is your punishment, Annika," Nicholas stated, his voice ice-cold. "I have been kind to you and has tolerate your every misbehavior until now, but not this one." He continued, "You have to grow up and learn your lesson. And sending you to abroad to live by yourself will be a perfect punishment. This way, you will finally realize your mistakes and become mature enough to handle yourself in the future." His emotionless voice rang in Annika's ear like satan's death drum. 

Crack! Crack! Crack! 

Boom! 

Annika's heart exploded, and she sank deeper and deeper into the dark abyss until she felt she was swaying away by tides without any anchor to hold her down.