Sophie’s pov

"You're limping around and you think you're going to college? You're so selfish! Your brother doesn't even have money for his wedding and you presume to waste your time in school with our hard earned money? You'd better forget your stupid dreams and concentrate on finding a husband! Bring home a decent dowry and do something useful for once at least!"

My father followed and scoffed, "Who told you to be a hero? Rushing in front of a car to save a stranger! We had to pay for your treatment with every penny we saved, you reckless fool. You ruined us, and for what? For someone you don't even know!"

I shivered as my parents' harsh words hit me, my eyes tearing up as I remembered the reason for my lame leg.

A week ago, I was walking down the street, headed to register for university. I got my leg hit by a car because I tried to save an old lady crossing the street.

But my parents didn't think it was worth spending money to save a daughter's leg, and I was forced out of the hospital by them.

However, even then, I didn't regret what I did.

It's important to me that this old woman is alive.

It's just that I don't have any savings to support me in college anymore. I originally paid for college by working part-time jobs. My parents won't be giving me any help with my life.

My fists were clenched, I wasn't going to give up like that.

"That's not the truth! The old lady gave you guys a million dollars, but you refused to give me further treatment!" I couldn't help but retort.

With a loud pop, my father's beer bottle hit my forehead, blood immediately oozed out of it, and my head felt dizzy.

"How dare you talk to me like that? Do you know how much money we've spent on you? Medical bills, treatments, everything! And the years we spent feeding you and raising you? You didn't grow up on air, bitch!" Father said angrily.

My mother took one look at my wound and immediately withdrew her gaze as she followed in disgust, "Don't think about school. Who would hire a crippled person? You'd better find someone stupid enough to marry you before they realize you're a burden."

There was a roaring in my ears and I could barely hear what they were saying, I needed to bandage my wounds had to go back to my room first.

In the evening, my head finally got a little better, I was hungry, I had to go to the kitchen and get something to eat, I wasn't going to give up my life so easily.

I saw my parents in the dining room, eating happily with my brothers, my parents worrying about my two brothers as usual. They had always cared about my older brother Simon and my younger brother Jack, but I had known for a long time that no one cared about me.

Am I really their biological child?

My mom started cursing as soon as she saw me. "Where the fuck have you been? Still not coming to dinner, do you want me to feed you?!"

I approached in agony, but couldn't stop the tears on my face.

"Simon, come on, eat more beaf," she encouraged my brother, her tone full of love. "You're still developing, you need to eat more beef to grow muscle."

"Jack, you eat some too," Mark added. "Your test is coming up and you can't afford to be at the bottom of the class again, okay?"

I glanced across the table at my brother Jack, who was wolfing down his food like an animal. He had poor grades and had just entered middle school, but our parents still doted on him. He was overweight, his face was round and his features were squished together, and he always kept his head down when he ate, making loud gurgling noises as he shoved his food into his mouth.

Jack sneered, "So what if I come last? It doesn't matter, when Sophie gets married, her dowry will be mine, and the money she earns, will also be mine."

My heart clenched at his words. What are they talking about? Do they ...... they really want to sell me?

Jane turned to me, her eyes cold. "She's already cost this family so much over the years. It's time to start paying back. There's a distant cousin on my mother's side-he's a little older, about forty-five-and he's been struggling to find a wife because he doesn't have a leg. That would be perfect for Sophie."

The words were like a slap in my face. They wanted to marry me off to an old man with no legs? I can't even imagine the fear.

My brother Simon frowned slightly; he wasn't worried about me, but about the family's reputation. "Mom, are you sure this is a good idea? If people find out we're marrying Sophie off to a crippled old man, it'll be humiliating. What would people say?"

"Who else would want her?" She snapped. "What, she thinks she's going to marry a prince? She should be grateful that someone is interested. A lame girl wouldn't have it any other way."

My hands trembled. They completely ignored me. I knew that retorting would only get me beaten again.

I wasn't going to let their plan succeed!

I can't let them trap me in a life I don't want for their selfish greed and associate me with a man I don't love.

I ate and immediately went to the kitchen, my parents grimaced in disgust when they saw my behavior, and I stood in front of the sink, tears streaming down my face once again.

I often wondered if I was really their real daughter. How could parents be so cruel to their own children? Why were they so kind and loving to my brother, when I was nothing but a burden in their eyes?

When I was in school, I always got top grades. I received scholarships and grants every year, but the money never went toward my education. The money went into Jack's pocket. He wore expensive shoes and the most fashionable clothes, while I had to wear old clothes - worn-out shoes from a few years ago and second-hand clothes that my relatives no longer wanted.

My self-esteem withered. At school, I kept my head down, too ashamed of my exhaustion to look anyone in the eye.

But when I finally got into college, I saw hope. I worked tirelessly and saved every penny to pay for my tuition. I saved secretly, knowing that my parents wouldn't approve. After months of hard work, I finally saved enough money to register for classes.

For a while, my future seemed bright.

But then there was an accident.

But tonight I made the decision that I can't stay here anymore. I bet they'll send me away tomorrow.

I gathered what little I had on me - a backpack with my papers and a few personal items. I grabbed an old stick to support my injured leg and walked to the front door. I don't know where I'm going, but anywhere is better than here.

I hadn't gone far when I realized that there seemed to be a black limousine following me, my heart racing and my cane clutched tighter.

The rear window of the car rolled down smoothly, revealing a face I didn't recognize but couldn't ignore. A man sitting in the backseat looked at me, which made me freeze in place.

His features were sharply defined and handsome, as if they had been carved out of marble.

I took a few more hesitant steps as the car slowly drove forward. It kept following me, right beside me. I gulped, nervousness rising in my chest. Who was this man? Why was he here?

Finally, I couldn't resist, "Excuse me, are you following me?" My voice trembled a little.

I must have looked miserable, standing there with a big backpack and a makeshift cane, my limp more pronounced than ever.

The car door opened and I watched the man step out. He was tall - really tall - at least six feet three inches. I had to tilt my head to meet his eyes.

I was struck by his perfect appearance, like someone from a fashion magazine, but his eyes ...... were cold, as if they could see right through me.

He looked down at me. "I heard your leg isn't completely healed. Why are you suddenly out of the hospital?"

My cheeks flushed without warning and I quickly averted my gaze, embarrassed at my reaction to him.

"Who are you ......?" I asked, trying to sound braver than I actually was.