Chapter : 3 [ Blood Or Dead ]

[ Arielle ]

A feeling of safety flowed through me when I stepped into the patio of my mansion, it was guarded heavily where a fly can’t pass without my father’s permission. Vincent dropped me outside the mansion before my security guards could stop and interrogate him.

Breathing for a while, I prepared for the worst. My father’s car was parked outside. I should embrace myself for the punishment waiting for me. I could feel house maids and guards’ gaze on me as I walked passed them.

“Where have you been, Miss Wilson? You did the wrong thing by escaping your security, your father doesn’t look pleased.” Parker, my head bodyguard met me in mid way. He looked disappointed.

“Where is he?” I asked him avoiding his gaze.

“In his home office. Please, follow me.” He said and lined behind me.

He can save me from everything but not this. My heart was sinking with each step I took towards my father’s office. Disobedience always comes with punishment.

The wooden doors were opened by my father’s guards and I entered inside. My eyes wandered on my father, mother and my elder brother Alexander. They had a grim look on their faces. My mother rushed to me, her eyes showing fear, the fresh bruises on her body were evidence that she paid for not being careful with me.

“Where have you been, Ari? You scared us all and where is Adrian. We thought he was with you.” She said, she was more complaining than being sad and more worried about her son.

“Step away from her.” My father’s voice resonated in the room. She immediately stepped back.

My father’s hard eyes bore into mine and I immediately surrendered.

“You escaped your security and coming home at ten in the night. Do you even realize what you have done, Arielle.” My father spat out, I saw coldness in his eyes.

“Father, I think we should speak to her more calmly. She doesn’t look good. We cannot hurt her more.” My elder brother said, he isn’t as cruel as my father but he never interferes in my father’s matters.

My father slammed his fists on his desk, his nose flared with anger whereas I stood, unable to tell him what had happened with me because it will infuriate him even more.

“Where have you gone? Tell me, do you have a lover? You went to see him?” He roared. He always thinks that I am having an affair. As if it was possible in his golden cage!

He rounded his way to me and grabbed my forearm. I winced, his deadly grip will definitely leave bruises.

I tried not to show any pain. I couldn’t give him the satisfaction of hurting me. I had an emotionless face. I had learned in all these years. I decided to tell him everything once he unleashes his anger on me. He threw me in the corner of the room and saw him removing his belt. My mother gasped and Alexander looked away. He’d not come forward to save me. After all, he must follow father’s footsteps once he becomes the next leader.

“You broke the rules, Arielle and wandered God knows where. You need to learn how you must behave. You are not a child.” He said furiously and hit me. The belt kissed my back and I cried silently, trying my best not to scream. My body ached as more belts landed on me yet he didn’t seem to be satisfied. I coiled in a corner and received my punishment like always. He threw his broken belt and kicked me into stomach, this time I yelped.

“Honey, stop or she’ll die.” My mother tried to stop my father.

“She won’t die until she pays the price of her birth. I want her to remember that she is nothing but a liability. She needs to learn her place. I do not want her husband to complain to me after marriage.” He said, he was heaving.

“Where is Adrian? Was he with you?” My mother asked when he left the room, fuming and pushing everyone out of his way.

I could barely open my eyes. All she could feel was concern for my brother.

I shook my head weakly and just as she leaned, she was gone behind my father. Alexander took slow steps towards me and knelt down. His eyes showing sympathy but he has gone through same hell when he was of my age even younger.

“I am sorry, Arielle.” He whispered and I felt his lips on my hairs. Together, we slipped out of the devil’s den. He was holding me into his arms. It was a mere fraction of what I had endured since I gained my senses as a grown up.

All I wanted was my bed and solitude to cry in the dark. Nobody should see my pain. He gently laid me down on my bed and covered me with blanket. It was a phantom of comfort in the world full of cruelty and emptiness. I thought telling Alexander was a better idea than facing father sooner.

“I’ll send a maid with some medicines and food.” He said and about to leave but I grabbed his wrist. He turned around and frowned.

“I need to tell you something you and father should know.” I said.

“Is it Adrian, Ari?” He narrowed his eyes.

I closed my eyes and let the tears slip from my eyes. It was a horrible nightmare.

“He has made a big mistake and this time even father won’t be able to save him or me.” I said, my voice cracked as Nicolai’s face danced in front of my eyes.

His jaws hardened, he took his seat and waited for me to explain him everything.

“Why does it concern you? How are you involved in this?” He asked me.