The Heiress of the Black Card

Picking up a few extra bucks driving rideshare after work, Id asked my passenger to scan a quick twenty-five dollars for the fare. Shed transferred half a million.

I was still staring, wide-eyed, at the string of zeros on my banking app when she pulled the door open. Her voice was flat, detached, as she spoke the words that would change everything.

Thank you for the ride, driver. Consider that a thank-you gift. Dont be a stranger.

The memo on the transfer even read: Voluntary Gift.

I pinched my thigh, the sudden jolt of pain confirming this was not a dream, and scrambled to catch up to her.

Thats when I saw it. She was already past the safety barrier of the massive suspension bridge spanning the river, her slight frame swaying precariously in the evening wind.

I pleaded, using every calming technique I knew, but she was already miles away.

I left school to be with him when I was eighteen, she said, her voice barely audible over the rush of traffic. He wouldnt let me finish my degree. He wouldnt let me work. He kept me like some fragile bird in a golden cage.

A tear tracked a path through the dust on her cheek. Every time I mentioned leaving, hed hit me. He said he loved me too much, and I believed him. But today, I watched him walk into the Riverwalk Hotel with another woman. Tell me, driver, where did I fall short?

I fell silent for a moment, then reached into my glove box. I pulled out my professional license and a framed gold medal from the National Debate Finals, placing them on the railing in front of her.

Forget love. Forget self-reflection, I instructed. Blame the bastard. Thats always the better move.

I met her eyes. I know a guy who does Curse-Out-Your-Ex campaigns. Guaranteed public humiliation, or your money back. What do you say?

1

When we pulled up to the Riverwalk Hotel, Grace Carver suddenly got cold feet.

Maybe we should just forget it, she mumbled, pulling her hand away. Grayson Blackwood isnt someone we can afford to cross.

I gave Grace a cool look. Floor number? I needed to see what kind of man not only cheated and lied but was also a physical abuser.

She hesitated, then provided the details: The top floor, 2501. Its his exclusive penthouse suite here. But you need a key card for the elevator. We wont be able to get up.

As if on cue, I pulled a sleek, un-branded master access card from my wallet and punched the button for the 25th floor.

When Grace looked at me, her eyes wide with confusion, I simply offered an easy explanation: I have a lot of side gigs. Used to work contract security for this hotel.

At the suite door, I didn't hesitate. I knocked three times, sharp and firm.

Who is it? I told you, no interruptions!

A deep, distinctly annoyed male voice, already laced with fury, boomed through the solid wood.

Grace flinched, instinctively retreating to the far wall. I pressed my mouth close to the peephole.

Open up, I said, my voice calm and official. Were sweeping for illegal activities.

There was a beat of absolute silence insidethe sound of a man freezing in surprise.

Then, the deadbolt clicked.

Grayson Blackwood stood in the doorway, draped loosely in a silk robe, his chest sporting a faint, un-wiped smudge of red lipstick. His hair was still damp from a shower.

His gaze raked over me, and the corner of his mouth curled into an unmistakable sneer of derision.

Illegal activities, huh? Youre an interesting one. Why dont you come on in and join the party?

He clearly thought I was some ambitious, opportunistic woman trying to climb her way into his bed. Given his immediate, dismissive invitation, this couldn't have been his first time.

I shoved his hand away as he reached out to hook my arm. Youve got a healthy appetite, Mr. Blackwood.

A woman emerged from the suites interior. She was wrapped in an even skimpier robe, her figure lithe and practiced. She assessed me with a glancethe kind of look a wealthy person gives to a cheap piece of furniture.

Grayson, who are you talking to?

Graysons eyes were flat, his laugh humorless. Just some pretentious little tease, trying a bit of reverse psychology

I didn't let him finish. I pushed past him and stepped directly into the penthouse suite.

I let my eyes linger on the restraint cuffs and the soft leather whip scattered near the couch. I raised an eyebrow in a perfect arc.

Surface-level gentleman, utter garbage underneath. Good to know.

Grayson followed me in, crossing his arms over his chest, looking entirely at ease.

What? You knocked on my door. Isn't this what you were after?

He fixed a greasy look on me. I see your type all the time. No standards, no bottom line, all for the right price. What do you think youre worth?

His gaze slid over my body. He reached out to snatch the whip from the coffee table, clearly seeing me as a new, disposable toy.

2

The second his fingers were inches from the whip's handle, I moved.

Before he could process the shift, I had efficiently twisted his arm behind his back and used one of the leather restraints to secure his wrist to his own back.

Grayson's initial shock quickly morphed into a look of intrigued excitement.

Huh Didnt think you were into this kind of play?

The words hadn't even fully left his mouth when I snatched the whip hed just been reaching for.

With no hesitation, I snapped my wrist, and the leather coiled, striking him squarely across the thin silk of his robe. A sharp red welt immediately bloomed on his back.

Grayson yelpeda genuine, surprised sound of painand the smarmy excitement on his face curdled into pure, incandescent rage.

You actually hit me, you bitch?!

I calmly pulled a stack of crumpled twenty-dollar bills from my bag and tossed them onto his face.

You tell me, Blackwood. What do you think youre worth?

The other woman, Sierra Ellis, was now pale with shock and fury.

Who the hell are you, you common tramp? How dare you put your hands on Grayson?

I turned to her, my expression unreadable.

And who are you? Didnt you know Grayson Blackwood is married? Or are you the type who knowingly sleeps with married men?

Sierra let out a sharp, mocking laugh, her eyes narrowing in contempt.

And who are you? You cant possibly be the pathetic little small-town idiot he conned with a twenty-dollar online marriage certificate? The one who actually believes she's Mrs. Blackwood?

Grace, who had finally worked up the courage to step inside, heard Sierras words. Her body wobbled imperceptibly.

She looked at the man I had restrained, her eyes filling with disbelief.

Grayson, is that true? Our certificate it was fake?

Grayson, apparently not expecting Grace to appear, paused. But he didn't answer her.

Instead, his eyes, dark and menacing, turned on Grace.

Grace, who said you could be here? Didn't I teach you that you need to obey?

Graces body spasmed, years of conditioning and fear making her instinctively recoil, pulling back toward the shadows.

I reached out and firmly grasped her icy cold hand. The motion pulled up her sleeve just enough.

Her slender forearm was a shocking mosaic of overlapping blue, purple, and yellow bruises. Some were fresh; others were scabbed over and sickeningly old.

Shed told me he hit her, but seeing the extent of the violence made my blood run cold.

Grayson Blackwood, are you even human? Scamming her with a fake marriage and beating her relentlessly?

Grayson simply flicked a dismissive look at me, his eyes full of superior scorn.

And who the hell are you to lecture me on my private affairs? You don't know who I am.

He allowed a cold, vicious smile to stretch across his face.

Keep sticking your nose in where it doesnt belong, and youll find yourself in a much worse situation.

I didn't flinch. In fact, I smiledthough the mirth didn't reach my eyes.

You dont even know who I am? You must not be much of a Blackwood, then. Your familys taste in people, it seems, is truly substandard.

3

Grayson rubbed his wrist, which was beginning to turn red, his dark gaze scrutinizing me.

Sierra, now recovered, sneered. Another wannabe socialite, I see. Not a single designer label on you. Dont even try the fake-rich girl act.

Sierra Ellis, stop wasting time and untie me. Grayson commanded, his patience clearly spent.

I watched Sierra dutifully undo the restraint and smirked.

Ms. Ellis, you havent even been properly introduced to the Blackwood family, but youve already mastered the posture of the future Mrs. Blackwood.

Of course, Sierra declared, tossing her chin up, an undeniable pride shining in her eyes. Grayson's wife is going to be me. Period.

She glanced dismissively at Grace. As for this useless little mouse, if shes quiet and follows the rules, I might let her crawl off. If not

She turned her attention back to Grayson. Once Grayson and I are married, we have every right to reclaim every penny he spent on this little home-wrecker!

Home-wrecker?

Grace laughed, the sound hollow and heartbreaking, tears streaming down her face. Her raw, red eyes fixed on Grayson.

When you did everything you could to keep me isolated, what did you call me then? That twenty-dollar fake certificate must be the cheapest thing you, Grayson Blackwood, have ever bought, wasn't it?

Grayson flexed his wrist, his tone flat and emotionless.

Grace, be reasonable. Everything can go back to how it was. After Sierra and I marry, I'll still take care of you. You wont lose anything.

Were done.

Graces voice was soft, yet startlingly firm.

A sudden, sharp flicker of rage crossed Graysons eyes.

Thats not an option. You know how possessive I am. Even if I tire of a woman, no one else is allowed to have her.

Graces face instantly paled.

I stepped in, my voice laced with mockery. You think youre some medieval monarch? Even royal mistresses get to marry for love sometimes.

Grayson just sneered, his eyes still locked on Grace.

You heard Sierra. I can reclaim every dollar I spent on you. Leave me, and youll be buried under mountains of debt.

His tone shifted, a venomous edge entering his voice.

Do you really want to go back to your deadbeat father? The one whod marry you off to the local town drunk for three thousand bucks?

Grace hadn't shared much about her family, but the picture he painteda family that would force their daughter out of school and into a fake marriagewas dark enough.

Without haste, I pulled a business card from my purse and handed it to Grayson.

In that case, sue her. By all means. But while youre at it, Id love to discuss emotional fraud, economic coercion, and long-term physical and mental abuse. All further inquiries should be directed to my legal team.

Grayson looked down at the card and let out a bark of derisive laughter.

Thorne & Associates? Try to look the part if youre going to play the lawyer. You really expect me to believe youre associated with the Thorne Group? Don't you know they own half the city? What the hell does a low-class girl like you have to do with the Thorne family?

4

Grayson tore the business card in half.

He didn't bother looking at me again. He simply pulled out his phone and made a short, curt call.

Bring them up. Tell them Grace Carver wants to break up with me.

It took barely ten minutes for the sound of shuffling feet and the loud, abrasive voices of a middle-aged couple to echo in the hallway.

Where is my daughter? Where is that useless girl?

A rail-thin man with a sallow, cigarette-stained faceGraces fatherburst into the suite first. He reeked of cheap beer and stale tobacco, his eyes darting around with a mixture of confusion and greed.

You damn waste of space! You think youve got the guts to piss off Mr. Blackwood?

Close behind him was Graces mother, her sharp cheekbones and pinched mouth suggesting a deeply unpleasant nature.

Graces mother seized her daughters hair, yanking her head back, while her other hand brutally dug her nails into the cluster of fresh bruises on Graces exposed arm.

Grace cried out, tears of pain and humiliation instantly welling up.

I told you to behave! I told you to stop making trouble! Mr. Blackwood gives you a good lifedesigner clothes, nice things, no worriesand youre not grateful? You ungrateful bitch!

Graces mother spat her words out, jabbing a forceful, red-tipped finger into Graces forehead, leaving a clear indent.

Graces father stepped up, pointing a trembling finger in her face.

I wasted so much money raising you! If Mr. Blackwood hadnt taken you in and paid off our debts, I would have married you off to the town butcher for the dowry years ago!

He raised his foot, ready to deliver a savage kick. Youre talking about a breakup? Ill teach you a lesson!

Stop it!

I yelled, taking a forceful step forward to halt the grotesque display.

My intervention instantly shifted their focus.

Graces mother whipped her head around, her small, triangular eyes focusing on me like poisoned needles.

Is this the bitch who put ideas in her head?

Sierra saw her opportunity. Looks like it, Mrs. Carver. She must be a low-class friend. Shes encouraging Grace to betray Mr. Blackwood.

Hearing this, Graces mother released her daughter and charged at me, her face contorted with outrage.

I know what you are! Youre just jealous! Jealous that our Grace got to marry into the Blackwoods, wearing fancy jewelry and living comfortably!

Who are you, you common trash? A dirty little peasant, telling us what to do? You dont have the right to interfere in our familys business!

Graces father chimed in, spouting vulgarities.

Ugh! Looks like a whore to me! What, you think Grayson is rich, and you want to push our daughter out and take her place? Go look in a mirror, you pathetic scrubber!

Graces mother grew hysterical, suddenly lunging at me, her calloused, dry hand shooting out and grabbing a fistful of my hair.

Ill teach you to corrupt my daughter! You little parasite! Ill tear your mouth off!

5

A sharp pain radiated across my scalp. I hadn't expected the woman to be so aggressively physical, with absolutely no warning.

Grayson and Sierra stood nearby, watching the spectacle with cold, amused smiles. It was clear they were enjoying the show.

Grace tried to break free to stop her mother.

Mom, let her go! Its not her fault! Im the one who wants to leave! Grayson cheated on me, and our marriage certificate is fake!

Graces parents, however, didn't look surprised by the news.

Graces father savagely dragged her back. Shut your mouth! Ill deal with you later!

My head was pounding from the force of the pull. I contained my anger, instead choosing to grab the mothers bony wrist in a firm grip.

Let. Go.

Let go? You dare command me? Youre just a cheap slut who couldnt hook a rich man! Ill kill you!

The mother refused to release my hair, raising her other hand to slap me across the face.

The instant her hand started its downward arc, I tightened my grip on her wrist and swiftly sidestepped her clumsy attack.

The mother cried out in pain and instinctively released her grip on my hair.

I disentangled myself, smoothing down the few strands that had escaped my low, professional bun. My eyes were now completely cold.

Jealous?

I looked at the couplea pair of leeches, parasitesand felt a profound sense of irony.

The good life you keep talking about? It was built on her dignity, her freedom, and her physical pain. All for money. Youre willing to sacrifice your own daughter, regardless of her safety, for a few bucks. You dont deserve to be called parents.

Graces father sputtered, his face turning an angry shade of red.

Youre talking nonsense! We were looking out for her! Following Mr. Blackwood is a blessing!

Enough. Theres no point in arguing with this trash.

Grayson glared at me, his eyes full of contemptuous pity. He picked up the hotel phone and called the front desk, his tone arrogant.

This is 2501. I have a disruption. Send security up immediately to clear these people out.

I raised an eyebrow. Clearing me out?

Grayson was obviously trying to isolate Grace, knowing he could control her easily without my interference.

Sierra laughed delicately, leaning into Grayson. She toyed with her hair.

I wonder how this one snuck up to the top floor. Grayson, since when is your private suite so easily accessed? I bet the price of one night here is more than her entire life is worth.

Graces mother, hearing this, puffed up with renewed confidence.

See? She is trash! Now get out!

Within moments, a team of tall men in crisp security uniforms strode into the suite.

The security captain bowed respectfully toward Grayson.

Mr. Blackwood, my apologies for the inconvenience. Well handle this immediately.

He then turned to me, his tone hardening. Maam, I need you to leave the premises right now.

Sierra quickly stepped forward. Check how she got up here. She probably stole a key card from a staff member. Thats grounds for arrest.

People from the lower class will do anything to climb the ladder.

The security captains expression grew serious. He took a step toward me. Maam, cooperate with us. Otherwise, we will be forced to use necessary measures.

I looked at the entire sceneGrayson, Sierra, the security teamand started to smile.

Just as the captain reached out to take my arm, I slid my hand into my pocket and pulled out a single, un-branded black metal card.

I flashed the card in front of the captains face. My voice remained perfectly level.

Necessary measures? Are you sure about that?

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