The Golden Tongue of Heaven

I was born with a gilded tongue. Whatever I speak becomes truth.
When I was just learning to talk, I babbled that Dad was going to get rich. That night, he won a hundred million dollars in the lottery.
When I was six, I said the old town mayors missing grandson would come home safe. The next day, someone found the boy, grubby but unharmed, at the edge of town.
At eighteen, I commented online that the failing Devereaux Corporation would make a comeback. Two weeks later, their stock skyrocketed, restoring them to their former glory.
And so, on the strength of my gilded tongue, I was welcomed as an honored guest by the Sterling family.
But I had barely stepped into the Sterling mansion when someone grabbed my long hair from behind and dragged me to the floor.
"You bitch! I can't believe you had the nerve to seduce my fianc, but to follow him all the way to his home? You must have a death wish!"
Falsely accused, I tried desperately to explain, but they were convinced I was a shameless homewrecker and started kicking and hitting me. Amid the sharp crack of my silver bracelet shattering, I tasted the coppery tang of blood in my mouth.
But no one knew my gift came with a pricea curse of misfortune.
Anyone who draws my blood is doomed to a life of bad luck. And it looked like the Sterling family was about to go bankrupt for good.

1
Miss Summers, please have a seat. Mr. Sterling is on his way back from the office right now.
Hell be here shortly, the housekeeper said, her voice dripping with reverence as she offered me a placating smile.
I waved a hand dismissively. Its fine. Thank you.
I was born with a gilded tongue; my words were law.
At first, Mr. Sterling had been skeptical. Two years ago, as a test, Id simply said his companys stock would rise. By that evening, it had soared. The once-teetering Sterling Enterprises had managed to hang on for two more years, all because of that single sentence.
From that day on, Mr. Sterling knew I was the miracle hed been searching for. Hed pulled out all the stops to get me to speak for him again, even offering to write my name into the Sterling family registry, promising me generations of their family's reverence. Id only reluctantly agreed.
After settling me in, the housekeeper went to the kitchen to prepare a fruit platter. The other servants treated me with the utmost respect, their eyes filled with awe.
I sat on the plush sofa, waiting quietly for Mr. Sterling, when a sharp, tearing pain shot through my scalp. I frowned, turning just in time for a crystal glass to shatter against my forehead. The world blurred in a haze of red.
Clutching my head, I saw Chelsea Quinns face, twisted with rage, through the curtain of my own blood.
The two servants beside me panicked at the sight of my injury. Miss Summers is an honored guest of Mr. Sterling! Who are you?
Chelsea gritted her teeth. Id like to see you try and stop me. Im Leos girlfriend! She glared at me. You slut, you actually dared to seduce my Leo? And you chased him all the way to his home?
Her friends, a posse of perfectly manicured girls, sneered at me in disgust.
Look at her, dressed in rags. How can she even compare to our Chelsea?
Anyone with eyes can see who the better choice is.
What a cheap whore. Were going to teach you a lesson today.
They spat the word "homewrecker" at me, one after another, until I felt worthless.
I scowled, my voice cold as ice. Im not a homewrecker. Stop spouting nonsense.
I turned to leave, but Chelseas hand cracked across my face in a vicious slap. You shameless bitch. Dont think I havent seen you hanging around my boyfriend. Her long fingernails jabbed toward my eyes, her voice a shrill shriek. You probably spend every waking moment plotting how to get into his pants, dont you?
I suddenly remembered Leo Sterling. Desperate for me to use my gift to help his family, he had been showering me with attention every single day. I never imagined he had a girlfriend like Chelsea.
The surrounding servants, finally snapping out of their shock, formed a protective circle around me and gently tried to tend to my wounds.
My voice was frigid. Mr. Sterling invited me here to help his family. I have nothing to do with your boyfriend.
One of the maids spoke up timidly on my behalf. Miss Summers has a gilded tongue. Whatever she says comes true.
At that, Chelsea clutched her stomach and burst into hysterical laughter, tears streaming down her face. If she has a gilded tongue, then Im a goddamn angel from heaven. Youve been running your mouth this whole time, so wheres the magic?
I sighed inwardly. My gift was powerful, but it had a limit: I could only use it once a year. I never wasted it lightly.
Chelsea smirked, crossing her arms. Do I look like an idiot? You really think Id believe that crap? You tried to mess with Chelsea Quinn, and I swear, Ill make you pay. Her eyes were like a vipers, cold and venomous. Her friends closed in, their faces masks of cruel amusement.
She was here for me.
I took a step back, my voice hoarse. If you lay a hand on me, the Sterlings will not let you get away with it.
Chelsea was the first to lunge, grabbing my head and slamming it against the floor. You little whore, you still dare to talk back? Girls, get her! Teach this homewrecker a lesson!

2
I winced, blood trickling from my forehead, drop by agonizing drop. My patience had run out. My gaze turned glacial as I stared at Chelsea.
I am an honored guest of the Sterling family. What are you? My voice was low and dangerous. Leave now, and I can pretend this never happened.
But youll still be cursed with bad luck for a while, I thought.
Seeing my utter disregard for her, Chelsea finally snapped. Her eyes blazing red, she threw herself at me, straddling my chest and raining down blows. Pinned to the ground, I had no strength to fight back. But as she leaned in, I opened my mouth and sank my teeth into her ear.
She shrieked, clutching her ear, her eyes filled with murderous rage. Her friends rushed forward, pinning me down as each one took a turn slapping me.
A searing pain ripped through my scalp as they dragged me backward, my head bouncing on the gravel path outside. I let out a muffled groan.
A circle of sharp, stiletto heels closed in around me, trapping me. When a heel ground into the back of my hand, I heard the sickening crackle of small bones.
The first slap made my right ear ring. Thats for being a homewrecker, you shameless tramp.
The second left my left cheek swollen and burning. I hate sluts like you who go after other peoples boyfriends. Its disgusting.
By the third, I could taste the rust of blood in my mouth. People like you dont deserve to live.
They took turns yanking my hair, pulling my head back until bloody strands stuck to my swollen face. Fingernails deliberately raked across the corner of my eye, and warm droplets of blood trickled down into my collar.
They were vicious. The two servants stood by, paralyzed with fear.
I looked at them, my voice strained. Call Mr. Sterling! Now!
I gasped for air, trying to warn Chelsea through gritted teeth. Let me go, or I swear you will never set foot in this house as a Sterling.
Chelsea just scoffed and kicked me again and again. You really think Im that stupid? Youre just some country bumpkin. Gilded tongue, my ass! You were just trying to seduce Leo while I wasn't looking. I see right through your pathetic plan.
Her pointed shoe dug into my ribs. As I curled up in pain, my forehead struck the sharp edge of a concrete step, and blood immediately blinded my right eye. Finally, she grabbed me by the neck and slammed my head against the edge of a coffee table. As a shard of porcelain sliced open my chin, blood dripped onto the pristine floor.
She sneered, delivering one final, brutal kick to my stomach. Bitch!
I clutched my stomach, my body contorted in agony.
What are you all doing?! The housekeeper finally emerged from the kitchen, a fruit platter in her hands. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw me. She rushed over and helped me to my feet.
Miss Summers is Mr. Sterlings esteemed guest! He gave specific orders to treat her with the utmost care! Who dared to do this?
She turned and her eyes met Chelseas. Chelsea just laughed. Auntie Mae.
Miss Quinn, what are you doing here?
Chelsea looked at her, her voice dripping with disdain. Esteemed guest? Shes just some hick from the sticks. Let me tell you, Im going to be the next Mrs. Sterling.
The housekeeper glanced from Chelsea to me, a look of conflict on her face. Finally, with a sigh, she let go of my arm. I couldnt stand on my own and collapsed back onto the floor.
Chelsea smirked, triumphant. Some gilded tongue. More like a professional con artist! You tell me, she demanded of the housekeeper, are her words magic or not?
Auntie Maes eyes darted around before she scurried over to Chelseas side. What gilded tongue? Shes just a fraud.
My heart plummeted.

3
Chelsea basked in the housekeepers fawning.
I was bleeding everywhere, with no strength left to fight. It felt like all the air was being forced out of my lungs; I couldn't even speak.
Chelseas long nails dug into my chin, forcing my head up. Her eyes fell on the necklace I was wearing. Before I could protect it, she ripped it from my neck, leaving a raw, red line on my skin.
Give it back, I croaked, my voice raw with desperation.
The necklace it was the only thing my mother left me.
I clenched my jaw. Give it back to me!
I tried to lunge for it, but the two girls holding me down beat me back into submission.
Chelsea dangled the necklace in front of my face. So this little thing is that important to you, huh? She smiled cruelly. I can give it back. Why dont you get on your knees and beg me? If Im in a good mood, maybe Ill return it.
My eyes burned with hatred. I balled my fists, glaring at her.
Chelsea looked at the necklace with disgust. Guess you dont care that much after all. In that case She made a show of getting ready to throw it away.
Words tore from my raw lips. Ill kneel.
Saying it felt like every last drop of strength had been drained from my body.
She bent down, patting my cheek condescendingly. Look at you, knowing your place. Well, get on with it. I dont have all day.
My eyes were fixed on the necklace in her hand. I closed them and forced my body to the ground.
Just get it back, I told myself. Then she will pay.
On my knees, I stared up at her, my voice a hollow rasp. Give it back.
A triumphant grin spread across her face. You think Ill give it back just because you asked? Let me tell you, this is what you get for being a homewrecker.
With that, she threw the necklace on the ground and stomped on it with her heel.
I watched, helpless, as the delicate silver chain snapped and the locket was crushed into a mangled piece of metal.
My voice was a shredded whisper. Ill kill you. ILL KILL YOU! I scrambled to my feet and lunged, my hands closing around her throat.
Shes crazy! Get her off me!
Her friends dragged me away in an instant.
My entire being thrummed with pure hatred. Chelsea Quinn, I seethed, I wont let you get away with this.
At my threat, they all burst into laughter. Chelsea doubled over, howling with mirth. Oh my god, did you hear that? This little bitch from the sticks says she wont let me get away with this. Im so scared! Id love to see you try. Her face darkened. Looks like you havent learned your lesson. Girls, give her another round.
They swarmed me again.
This time, I didnt resist. I curled into a ball on the floor, letting their fists and feet rain down on me.
Hahaha, look! I think we broke her! Shes not even fighting back! Chelseas laughter echoed in the room.
Staring at the growing pool of my own blood on the floor, a slow, cold smile spread across my bloodied lips.

4
Seeing me smile, Chelseas amusement turned to fury. What the hell are you smiling at, you bitch? she roared. You think this is funny? Ill make sure you never smile again.
My voice was a soft, chilling whisper as I looked right at her. Your face is about to be ruined.
Her eyes flew wide. Her expression turned darker than a storm cloud. You whore, how dare you curse me? Ill kill you for that.
She rolled up her sleeves and stalked toward me.
But in the next second, she slipped and crashed to the ground.
Ah! she screamed, her hands flying to her face.
Chelsea, your face! one of her friends gasped.
Chelsea fumbled for her compact mirror, and her scream intensified. She clutched the bleeding side of her face, her eyes locking on me with pure venom.
My gaze drifted to the small razor blade that had mysteriously appeared on the floor, and my smile widened.
Enraged, Chelsea scrambled toward me. You jinx! You did this! she shrieked. If youre going to run that filthy mouth of yours, Ill make sure you can never speak again.
My nails dug into my palms. My voice was raspy. You wouldnt dare.
She arched an eyebrow. Why wouldnt I? Im going to be the next Mrs. Sterling. Youre just a nobody from the countryside. Why shouldnt I dare to put you in your place? She gave her friends a look.
They immediately seized me.
She pulled two long, slender needles from her purse and advanced on me, step by deliberate step. Today, Im doing the world a favor by shutting that cursed mouth of yours for good.
Even if you pierce my throat, it will heal.
As the words left my lips, a flicker of gold flashed in my eyes, so fast that no one noticed.
She was quick. The needle plunged into my throat.
Pain exploded through my body. I thrashed wildly, but no sound came out.
Seeing my silent agony, Chelsea looked ecstatic. This is what happens to whores like you.
Tears streamed down my face. The pain in my throat sent waves of cold sweat through me. My vision started to blacken. I was losing consciousness.
The housekeeper, Auntie Mae, ran to Chelseas side. Future Mrs. Sterling, thats exactly how you deal with shameless women like her. Back in my day, we would have drowned a seductress like this in a pig cage.
I bit my tongue, the sharp tang of blood keeping me lucid.
Chelsea dusted off her hands, a smug look on her face. Youre right. A filthy woman like her needs to be cleansed. Lets go wash her up. She looked down at me as if I were a piece of trash. Grab her.
Just as they moved, a deep voice cut through the air.
Who are you people? What are you doing in front of my house?
Elara!
It was the voice of Mr. Sterling.

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