" Let me go! "

A struggling Emma was dragged through a dusty hallway and thrown into a storage room by two suited men. As soon as she was left, she attempted escaping the room but was once again dragged back in a panting mess.

Before she could get up, the doors were slammed shut and locked from the outside.

" Let me out of here! " She screamed, banging on the door with all her strength. " Open this door! " She sobbed, while the withdrawing footsteps of her abductors withered away, leaving her in the cold and dark storage room.

With the realisation that she'd really been abandoned by the men, Emma dropped to the dusty floors and let her eyes leak out the tears she'd been holding in for a long time now.

She was such a loser.

Who gave her the right to think she could turn her life around? How could she delude herself to thinking that she was actually capable of being loved? Of being chosen and celebrated by the one she gave her all to?

As she sat in the dark musky room, flashes of the proposal between Talia and Colton filled her mind frame, causing sharp pricks of pain in her heart. It was supposed to be her happy day but somehow, the big guy up there decided to make it yet another traumatizing incident.

She couldn't stomach the fact that Colton had so fleetingly betrayed her. How could she explain the smile that graced his face at the very moment Talia accepted to be his wife? She had witnessed a scene she had hoped and dreamed about for the most part of her life.

Emma was a firm believer that one's first love could evolve to be true love. She believed that there was only one man for her and earnestly looked forward to the day he was going to ask her the multi billion dollar question.

Heck, she was even ready to ask it herself after making herself a woman worthy of him. When did it go wrong? How could she have missed the fact that he was into her step sister? The same person she had spent the most of her time explaining just how terrible a treatment she got from her.

Emma sobbed uncontrollably at the fact that somehow Talia was able to take everything she ever owned and wanted. Something deep inside of her told her that there had to be something wrong. Colton loved her and couldn't have turned off such amount of emotion without her knownlege.

She considered the fact that maybe it was a misunderstanding. Maybe there was a feasible explanation and it was only a matter of time before it is resolved. She remembered him telling her that he was going to explain.

Maybe she was too blinded by her pain and didn't get a closer feel on what exactly was going through his mind. Emma deluded herself to thinking that maybe she'd seen incorrectly. She couldn't accept the fact that she was betrayed, and on her birthday.

The need to get out of the room became even more stronger. The morbid smell of dead rodent suddenly wafted into her nostrils, making her feel even worse than she did.

Of course it was her luck to be thrown into the dirtiest and oldest store room in the house!

She wouldn't be surprised if it was done on purpose. That was her life in this hell hole of a home.

She was finally in the moment she so desperately waited for. Her moment of transformation. But it'd been so cruelly wrenched out of her hands. She'd been doused with a traumatic reality check. Her life always seemed to follow a tragic reality arc no matter how much she tried.

Emma was once again reminded of her goals for the new chapter of her life. The goals she so vehemently prepared to achieve during this new phase of life. The life she'd planned with the very person who was currently engaged to her sister!

No matter how much she said it, she could never get accustomed to the surge of pain that went through her heart at the admission of the fact that Colton was now engaged to Talia.

As a result, she let go of all arbitration, and indulged herself in a deep soul wrenching cry. She cried until she couldn't anymore and slept off on the cold floor with a few thoughts in mind. Each and everyone pointing in the same direction.

She needed to get out and quickly. She needed to speak to Colton and have him reassure her that it wasn't real. But how could she do it while locked up?

Thirty minutes passed by with a dressed up Emma sprawled on the dusty floor sporting dried tears which formed a trace on her made up face while she slept. Oblivious to every and anything around her.

***

A few minutes later, the sound of the door clicking open immediately jolted Emma awake. She sat up, only then realizing she had somehow slept off during her little tantrum earlier.

Mrs Roseline Steele and her daughter, Talia, were escorted by four hefty men. The moment their eyes crossed that of Emma, a permanent scowl etched on their faces.

Talia couldn't help but sneer as she took in the deplorable state of her sister. She couldn't help the anger that brewed within her as she beheld the face of Emma. The face that Colton was pretty much obsessed about, giving her a hard time during her mission to seduce him into being with her.

She had finally succeeded in getting the man of her dreams and today was supposed to be a happy day but somehow she'd managed to show up and dent the experience with her sudden and untimely presence.

" I'm going to let you off the hook today because it's Talia's engagement night. " Mrs Steele said, sporting a disgruntled look while Talia, who was ever ready to grasp any opportunity to show off her ring, flashed Emma the beautiful rock that was her engagement ring.

" You should do well and remember that you are nothing but a stray dog who is lucky to live in the Steele household. Remember your place and act accordingly in order to earn your keep! " She instructed with a firm tone, to which Talia was having the time of the day after noting Emma's shiver.

Emma stared at the women duo standing

before her with defying eyes. She couldn't hide her hatred for the people whom she was being forced into a family with.

" What happened to Colton? Where is he?" She managed to say, not the least bit interested about anything else. Her question of course didn't go down well with her captors. Talia reacted first.

" Colton is my fiancee! Don't you dare mention his name again!" She blasted in fury. Emma was undeterred.

" I don't care! " She stood up, " I need to hear from Colton." She said and made to leave the store room.

The mother and daughter duo shared a look before the taunting voice of Talia made way to her hearing.

" Not so fast, bitch." She cursed and with one look, the men behind her held Emma in tight grip, waiting for the order.

" Since you are so interested in having a man, we paired you up with someone fitting for the job. Hopefully he actually takes a liking to you, so make sure to put that face to good use. "

Before she could reply, Emma's nose and mouth was covered with a white handkerchief. She struggled with wide eyes to get loose but to no avail. Instead she slowly drifted into an induced unconsciousness. Falling limp in the arms of her enemies.

" Quick! We don't have much time. Get her into the room, give her a change of clothes after doing the needful and send her on her way to the Braxton's." Mrs Steele ordered the men with a sharp tone, leaving no room for refusal.

" Yes ma! "

They all chorused and immediately began their assigned duties. They had to work with time as the drug used to incapacitate her was time sensitive.

" Do you think she could make the cut though? What if she decides not to continue with our plans after becoming his wife?" Talia asked as soon as they left. She didn't quite feel confident about the decision they'd both taken.

" Leave it to me darling. I have it all covered. Focus on Colton." Her mother replied confidently. Her eyes wore a glint of one who had more cards up her sleeve.

***

Two hours later, dead in the night, a van entered the premises of Asher Braxton, bearing an unconscious Emma. As though waiting for the arrival of the car, the housekeeper was situated outside with some other workers as they waited to welcome the guest to the mansion.

They were all surprised to find a sleeping beauty but nonetheless took her inside the house and into the master's bedroom as instructed by the Elder Braxton.

Things were definitely about to take a turn in the Braxton home.